Richel Langit-Dursin
BEPPU - Ravi Narayanan, vice chair of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, explains to TerraViva’s Richel Langit-Dursin why the water summit complements the climate change conference in Bali.
Q: Why is it that few heads of states are attending the summit?
A: The number does not matter. The important thing is to raise the interests of the conference and we hope that the work itself, the documents that we produce, the projects that are currently under progress, will show the way and I think there is now a growing recognition of the importance of issues of water. This summit is a big push in that direction and we were very encouraged by the reception that we got this morning.
Q: Is there any conflict in schedule between this summit and the climate change conference in Bali?
A: This summit and the Bali conference are complementary. There was reference made that the issues of water pertaining to climate change are important and need to be discussed. I’m sure they will be discussed. So there is a powerful message going after this summit and the Bali conference.
Q: Did the holding of the Bali conference spoil this summit, because this forum initially wanted the heads of state to be present but they are not here?
A: I don’t think so. We’re all working towards the same end. It’s for the problems of the region and how best can we tackle them. I think all aspects have to be explored. I don’t think one should set it up as a competition. That is not a very helpful way of looking at it.
Q: What do you intend to achieve in this summit?
A: We hope and we think that we’ll be successful in achieving a higher recognition of the many issues of water with regard to health, well-being, and livelihood of people, particularly the poor. And I think we’ll succeed.
Q: How do you assess the response of political leaders to water-related problems?
A: The response will be evident in their own national plans, not only of governments, but of all the stakeholders in each of the countries. As Asia-Pacific Water Forum Governing Council chair Tommy Koh said, this conference is a platform which is bringing together not just governments, but international organisations, civil society groups, academia and others. The success will depend on how in each country and across the countries they can cooperate and work together for common terms.
Q: Why is it that many countries are not on track in meeting Target 10 of the Millennium Development Goals?
A: We think it is important for everyone to pay attention to the issues of water so that we can all work together to meet Target 10 and all the other issues connected to water.
Q: How can countries overcome the difficulties they face in meeting Target 10?
A: We’ll overcome them not in the short term. We’ll overcome them through concerted, cooperative work of the different stakeholders – governments, civil society, academia, local governments working together – and the exchange of information across countries so that the good examples in this region become available to everybody and people can learn from each other.
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