Bringing the Worlds Largest Water Conference to Denmark
The Danish government has joined the battle against Brazil and Russia to bring World Water Forum to Denmark in 2018.
If successful, Copenhagen will host the worlds largest water conference where 15.000 20.000 politicians, companies, scientists and organizations gather to discuss how best to secure essential resources, water, energy and food.
World Water Forum is held on a three year basis and provides the setting for solutions and strategies for all areas that deal will water.
It is a big challenge to have Brazil and Russia as competing host countries and it will not be an easy task. But if we succeed in bringing World Water Forum to Denmark it will be the largest international event in this decade. It is an enormous display window for green technology and numerous companies, politicians and organizations attend the conference, says Minister for the Environment Ida Auken.
The global market for water solutions is expected to grow by 6 % over the next 5 years and holds potential for increased growth and employment in Denmark.
Denmark is at the forefront of the green transition. If Denmark wins the hosting of World Water Forum it is an opportunity to show the outside world that it is possible to create green growth while simultaneously reducing global consumption of water. Moreover, we get a significant international display window that showcases Danish companies green solutions and products to the world, thus contributing to the creation of new jobs in Denmark, says Minister for Business and Growth Annette Vilhelmsen.
Water embedded in all challenges
If Denmark achieves status as host country, focus will be put on incorporating water in global challenges such as poverty, food production and energy supply. The initiative would be able to identify and generate green solutions.
We must contribute to make the world more water efficient. 70 % of the worlds water consumption is used for food manufacturing. At the same time, we face an expected growth in consumption of water, energy and foods of about 40 % towards 2050. The largest part of this growth is constituted by the developing countries. Therefore, it is important that we cooperate closely with the developing counties to find solutions. World Water Forum is an opportunity for Denmark to contribute with its strong competences and technologies in area of water, says the Minister for Development Cooperation Christian Friis Bach.
Announcement of the host country for World Water Forum will be no later than March 2004.
Water technology is a Danish position of strength. Denmark exports water technologies amounting to DKK 14-15 billion a year.
Source: Danish Ministry of the Environment
