Istanbul Water Consensus and list of signatories and champion cities In Istanbul, 250 Local and Regional Authorities from 43 countries presented the Istanbul Water Consensus (IWC), a new compact for Local and Regional Authorities. In Istanbul, 58 signatories commited to prepare action plans to analyse and cope with the challenges they are facing and to report on their progress at the next World Water Forum. Since the Forum, over two hundred additional signatories have joined the ranks, and the list will continue to grow, fueled by the efforts of 10 major “champion cities.”its implementation. Thematic Outcomes This chapter is based on a collection of commitments, initiatives and proposals spanning over 100 sessions. One recurring message was that progress can only be achieved through an interdisciplinary approach, both at the international and national levels, due to the interrelatedness of water issues across so many different sectors. There is therefore a need to reinforce the preliminary linkages made at the 5th World Water Forum and continue to think “out of the box.” In addition, education, capacity development and financial support need to be enhanced in virtually every domain to support further progress. Finally, solutions must be sustainable and flexibly adapted to specific local or regional circumstances: no “one size fits all” approach can be applied to water management. Regional Outcomes This compilation of seven regional processes presents many important statements taking into account regional specificities, in both thematic and political arenas. These processes were important catalysts for mobilizing stakeholders, promoting cooperation and impacting political action in their regions. Organisers and participants committed to organize regional preparatory fora in the future to support continued progress on water issues in local contexts. Children’s Declaration Held just prior to the Forum, the Children’s Forum welcomed 135 children from 21 countries who discussed and agreed on the Children’s Declaration. Youth Declaration An assembly of over 200 young people from all over the world, the Youth Forum encouraged youth to become vectors of that much needed change for the better. The Youth Declaration that they produced was read during the Forum’s closing.
06