WORLD WATER DAY - 2011
http://www.worldwaterday2011.org/
1.BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Water is a basic requirement for all life, yet water resources are facing increasing demands from, and competition among, users. In 1992, the UN General Assembly designated the 22nd of March of each year as the international World Water Day (WWD) and inspires events across the world which draws attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
In 2011 the global theme for this special day is “Water for Cities: The Urban Challenge”. The main purpose for this year’s theme is to raise the profile of water management in the urban communities and the many impacts which the urban communities impose on water resources. The theme cross cuts the entire water sector, highlighting the complex and substantial efforts and issues which government agencies face with regards to water management in the urban setting. These issues relate directly with the socio-economic impacts of cities ranging from encroachment into vital watershed areas, pollution, waste water management and the increasing demand on water resources for drinking water supply, sanitation, developments, irrigation, uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems and other uses.
To celebrate WWD in Samoa, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and the Samoa Water Authority(SWA) has taken the initiative to commemorate this event on Tuesday, 29th of March 2011 under the national theme of “Working together for Water Management in Samoa’s Urban Community”, to highlight the above messages in Samoa’s context.
2.WORLD WATER DAY 2011:
The program for celebration Samoa’s World Water Day 2011 focuses on;
i.Raising awareness on the urban water management challenges. An awareness campaign targeting the urban villages and the business community of Apia to raise national understanding and appreciation of the various challenges facing the water sector in the urban areas. Thematic areas for this awareness campaign will be water supply, sanitation, water resources conservation, and waste water management.
The campaign includes advertisements on TV, Radio and Newspapers, as well as school visits to discuss the thematic areas aforementioned.
An educational bus tour/site visit for village and school representatives is also being planned for people to visit the various high-tech facilities in town which include the Fuluasou water supply treatment plant, the Tafaigata sludge treatment facility and the SWA wastewater treatment plant.
ii.A River Clean Up Campaign.One of the main issues in some communities are agricultural activities as well as dispose of wastes into river systems. As such watershed areas have been degraded hence a river clean up in the lower catchment of Fuluasou will be carried out by clearing non biodegradable wastes so as to raise awareness on water resource management.
Schools, youth groups and women’s committees within the vicinity of the selected watershed area and river system will be invited to partake in this cleanup campaign.
Other Implementing Agencies:
·Ministry of Health (MoH): Water quality unit- urban water supply standards.
· Ministry of Women Communities and Social Development (MWCSC): Independent Water Schemes
·Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI)/Land Transport Authority (LTA) – road drainage in urban areas.
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3RD ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING
22 – 24 NOVEMBER 2010
THEME: “Clean Water for a Health Samoa” Implementing Water Safety Planning in Samoa
The Water and Sanitation Sector will be conducting its 3rd annual review meeting from 22 – 24 November 2010.The theme for this year’s review is “Clean Water for a Healthy Samoa” focusing on implementing water safety planning in Samoa.It is adopted from the World Water Theme “Clean Water for a Healthy World” that was commemorated in March 23, 2010 and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring community access to water of good quality.
The review will be a 3-day event and includes for the first time a Sector Forum which will provide an opportunity to share views and experiences on best practices and lessons learned from the sector and across the region.Presentations will cover water quality issues from a regional perspective including a look at the implications of climate change on the sector as a whole.At the national level, there will be presentations on water quality governance with experiences from the Samoa Water Authority and Independent Water Schemes on implementing water safety plans with case studies from the Fuluasou water treatment plant and Matautu Independent Water Scheme.Concluding the forum proceedings will be a special presentation from Samoa Water Authority drawing on the lessons learned from the devastating tsunami event of September 29, 2009 for the water and sanitation sector.
Day two is the review meeting and will include presentations from the sub-sectors on achievements and challenges for the period 2009/2010.The sector annual review meeting is a unique opportunity for the sector together with stakeholders and development partners to engage and interact on progress, achievements and challenges faced by the sector.The third and final day of the review process will include a field trip to the Wastewater treatment plant in Sogi and the Togitogiga Water Treatment Plant, both of which are now fully operational.Participants will also have a chance to visit part of the water resources hydrometric network, the Togitogiga watershed, Aufaga Independent Water Scheme and water supply interim schemes in the tsunami affected areas.
The official opening will be on Monday 22 November at the To’oa Salamasina Hall at 8:30 in the morning followed by the forum proceedings.The 3rd Water and Sanitation Sector Annual Review Report 2009/2010 and the revamped Water for Life website will also be launched at the official opening.Free giveaways following the opening ceremony will include sector t-shirts and bags.
The sector annual review is open to the public.For more information on the activities of this 3-day event please refer to the program attached or contact Frances Reupena at frances.reupena@mnre.gov.ws; or Mataia Mataia at mataia.mataia@mnre.gov.ws
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November - Environment Week and Arbor Day - 15th - 19th Nov, 2010
Every year during the past ten years in the last week of October and first week November, MNRE celebrates Environment Week. Public activities are organized to focus attention on the environment, improve community awareness and foster public participation in natural resource management and sustainable development.
Environment Week has a different theme each year reflecting global environmental issues; such as the sustainable management of natural resources, climate change issues, biodiversity etc and the launching of projects managed and implemented by MNRE. Another major event during the week is the Arbor Day / Tree Planting day a world event emphasizing the importance of reforestation at the global, national and community or grass-root level and this particular day is also a public holiday. (Click here for more details)
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Pacific Water Conference & Expo (13 - 15 September 2010)
On behalf of the Pacific Water & Wastes Association (PWWA), we invite you and your organisation to be part of The Pacific’s most important annual event for the water industry to be held at the Holiday Inn in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea from 13 to 15 September, 2010.
The Pacific Water Conference & Expo (PWC) is an event where the issues that drive the industry are discussed and future directions decided. PWC 10 will address the wide ranging issues that face the water industry today. These include major national water reforms, climate change and its impacts, technological advances and the challenges of human resources to name a few. The PWC 10 Conference will feature inspirational international and national keynote speakers, numerous invited speakers, scientific and technical papers, and workshops.
This will be a water industry opportunity like no other to network and engage with industry leaders and experts from all over the Pacific.
As well as an international standard 3 day conference, a major component of the event will be the PWC 10 Expo that will showcase the best of what the industry has to offer. Leading exhibitors from around the world will display products, services and innovations.
There will be multi-level networking and social activities that will offer the opportunity to engage leaders and industry experts on an individual basis and discuss and share issues important to you. (Click here for more details)
PACIFIC WATER CONFERENCE AND EXPO (click here)
Nukualofa, Tonga (29th to 31st July 2009)
On behalf of the Pacific Water Association (PWA), we invite you and your organisation to be part of The Pacific’s most important annual event for the water industry to be held in Nukualofa, Tonga from 29 to 31 July, 2009.
The Pacific Water Conference & Expo (PWC) is an event where the issues that drive the industry are discussed and future directions decided. PWC 09 will address the wide ranging issues that face the water industry today. These include major national water reforms, climate change and its impacts, technological advances and the challenges of human resources to name a few. The PWC 09 Conference will feature inspirational international and national keynote speakers, numerous invited speakers, scientific and technical papers, and workshops.
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5th World Water Forum
16-22 March 2009
The World Water Forum is the main water-related event in the world, aimed at putting water firmly on the international agenda
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Australia's National Water Conference and Exhibition
16-18 March 2009
Ozwater is an event like no other, organised by the industry for the industry where the issues that drive the industry are discussed and future directions decided.
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World Water Day 2009
22 March 2009
Organised by: SOPAC and Live and Learn in Suva Fiji marking the Food and Agriculture Organisation. International Theme: Shared Waters, Shared Opportunities Pacific Theme.
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26th Pacific Islands Environment Conference (PIEC)
22-26 June 2009For additional information, visit www.regonline.com/PIEC2009