LOC21:51
18:51 GMT
MUSCAT, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- The activities of the Ministerial Forum on Water
of the Group of 77 (G-77) adopted recommendations on Wednesday on boosting
cooperation among the countries of the South in the field of water conservancy.
Participants in the just-ended forum agreed on exchanging technical
expertise, enhancing scientific and technological cooperation in the domains
of water resource management, and developing desalination and sanitation
projects in the member countries.
The forum outlined plans for improving access to safe drinkable water and
irrigation water, expanding the sanitary drainage systems, enhancing the
hydropower projects with a view to achieving sustainable development and
alleviating poverty.
Despite progress made by the G-77 member countries towards providing larger
numbers of their citizens with safe drinkable water and proper sanitary
drainage services, these countries are sill far from the set targets and goals
of the UN development millennium, the conferees noted.
Insufficient funds and inefficient management constitute the main obstacles
facing the G-77 member countries in this domain, they agreed.
They renewed commitment to enhance cooperation and increase contacts in
order to exchange information and expertise and employ the latest techniques
of water conservation.
They highlighted the importance of the electronic networking among the
water research centers and institutions of the member states as well as the
concerned regional organizations in a bid to enhance information exchange.
They agreed to bolster up the strategic partnerships between the countries
of the south in this domain and make better use of their human and material
resources.
They recommended adoption of policies of self-sufficiency in financing the
projects of water conservancy such as construction of dams and hydropower
plants, digging of canals, and expansion of drainages systems.
They also suggested enhanced contacts with regional and international
financial institutions to facilitate pumping of more funds to such projects.
The water conservancy is key to food security and sustainable development
in the G-77 member countries, the conferees affirmed.
They agreed to held meet on an annual basis in order to tackle the main
issues in that field and implement the related initiatives.
G-77 was established on June 15, 1964 as a grouping for the developing
countries pursuant to the "Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Countries"
which was issued at the end of the first United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.
The three-day G-77 Ministerial Forum on Water started on Monday, February
23. (end)
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