..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date: 16 March 2012
Media Advisory: N/07/2012

United Nations and partners to observe World Water Day 2012

Bangkok (UN ESCAP Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section) – The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will join the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United States Agency for International Development Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID Asia) for the annual observance of World Water Day (WWD) on 22 March at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) Bangkok.

The highlight of the WWD 2012 event will be a panel discussion titled “Water and Food Security: Managing Allocations, Improving Productivity, and Managing Risk” which will focus on the nexus of water and food issues. Panelists include the Ambassador of the United States of America to Thailand, the Director General, Royal Irrigation Department, Thailand, top United Nations officials in the region, as well as experts from the world body and USAID Asia.

Water scarcity is increasingly contributing to food price volatility and agriculture is required to undergo drastic changes to maintain sufficient levels of production for the growing population in the region. The panel discussion will review challenges of production processes and demands, consumer patterns and trends, human needs and interventions, as well as climate change which are affecting the water cycle, posing a new threat to food security in Asia and the Pacific.

As part of the observance, an exhibition on the theme Water and Food security will be organized from 21 to 23 March at UNCC.

World Water Day was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992 with the aim of promoting public awareness on the value of water and to promote sustainable water resources use.

WHAT: World Water Day 2012 observance

WHEN: Thursday, 22 March 2012, 13:00 hrs

WHERE: United Nations Conference Centre

WHO: Speakers include:

• Mr. Shun-ichi Murata, Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP
• H.E. Ms. Kristie Kenney, Ambassador of the United States of America to Thailand
• Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific
• Dr. Lertviroj Kowatana, Director General, Royal Irrigation Department, Thailand (tbc)

For more information, please visit http://www.unescap.org/esd/Energy-Security-and-Water-Resources/ or contact:

Ms. Francyne Harrigan
Chief, Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, ESCAP
T: (66) 2 288 1864, M: (66) 81 835 8677, E: harriganf@un.org