Industry Events
Alex Whitebrook, Events Co-ordinator for International Aquafeed headed to the Ulysses Guimarães Convention Center located in the heart of the Brasília, to learn about the current state and future plans for global water management
World Water Forum:
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ater management, especially waste water management, will have an enormous impact on the success of the aquaculture industry in the years to come. As a precious resource that is undergoing crisis, Perendale looked in to the state of the water sector by attending the largest international event on water – the World Water Forum. Arriving in Brasilia for the 8th World Water Forum, the intense heat and dry environment immediately brought the scarcity of water to mind. As a city that has long dealt with its own water issues, the Forum brought a sense of irony to mind. The Forum itself was an interesting experience. Unlike the World Water Congress, an event that occurs every two years between the larger World Water Forum, disorganisation was evident at every turn. Many delegates and speakers were unable to attend due to visa issues, there was limited variety in public and private representation, there was no public Wi-Fi, and worst of all – there was very little availability of water! However, participants were not there to complain about the organisation but to engage each other in assessing the international state of the water sector. The Swiss delegation was certainly one of the most active stakeholders at the forum, promoting their cleverly branded policy of ‘Blue Peace’ to facilitate the open discussion of transboundary water management issues. This reflected the generally political atmosphere of the Forum – another point of contrast to the World Water Congress. Despite the politicised environment, and thanks to the Forum being the water industry’s foremost event, there was considerable private sector representation. One company to take note of brought a fresh perspective to the Forum; Suez was present to promote protections of the ocean. Preservation of the oceans, though it is an important issue, was not a huge concern of the majority of forum-goers. Suez highlighted their position as vitally important private-player in the water industry, especially in dealing with water treatment for the protection of our oceans. They propose a circular system of waste treatment in cities and offered policy solutions for water management at many levels. On the public front many governments were represented, though fewer than you might think. The big players in the water industry such as the Dutch had a massive presence, as did those behind massive water infrastructure like the Chinese, and even those in extremely water scarce regions, such as Morocco. Sadly, many countries were not represented, such as Ethiopia that is currently realising an enormous achievement in the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, whilst
also creating new conflicts as consequence. Those that were present however, were very active. One of the largest pavilions to take note of the Forum was that of the Senegalese, who have been given the task of hosting the next World Water Forum. All through the week representatives of Senegal could be heard carrying out cultural activities such as drumming performances, and presentations on the capabilities of the Senegal water sector. The delegates of Senegal put their best foot forward to gather excitement for the 9th World Water Forum in three years' time. One can only hope that it will be better organised and have an even wider array of public and private representation compared to Brasílía. With the aquaculture industry growing faster than ever and being massively dependent on the good management of water resources, this topic will be an interesting one to come back to.
International Aquafeed - June 2018 | 52