Mr Chairman,
On behalf of the Scientific and Technological Community we are pleased to make this
intervention today.
As we have perused the Chairman's Summary from yesterday we are impressed that so
many examples of progress were reported. Everyday Engineers and Scientists contribute
their expertise to the Water and Sanitation sector through activities in water, wastewater
delivery, operations, maintenance and management. They are active in both the
developed and developing world.
Water and Sanitation systems are complex integrated systems in both the urban and rural
areas, they are interdependent and their sustainable operation, maintenance and
management requires scientific and engineering knowledge and experience.
There is much knowledge already available - now is the time to use that knowledge and
the Technological and Scientific Community is available to help.
The changing climate requires us to have an accelerated application of the solutions. We
support the need for the strengthening of the enabling factors of good governance, and
institutional capacity building.
We are concerned that there be a strengthening of scientific research, education, data
collection and monitoring as well as capacity building because disjointed and inadequate
information poses constraints in developing countries as we believe building resilience
requires in-depth knowledge of local area ecosystems, weather patterns, land use and
demographic patterns. Such information is needed to formulate and promote robust early
warning systems.
Chairman, our major group is ready and willing to help to ensure that productivity in
delivering water and sanitation services are increased.
We believe increasing technological capacities, significant transfer of technologies will
improve the situation.
Improved irrigation efficiencies and on-farm management practices could assist in
overcoming water shortages and improve food security.
Chairman, much has been done, we must all leave this place with the aim of going
forward in practical applications from here.
Thank you.
Barry Grear
