In order to prepare new and relevent content for debate and proposals at the 5th World Water Forum in Instanbul, Turkey, in March 2009, a two-year preparatory process has been launched during a Kick-off meeting on 19 and 20 March 2007 in Istanbul. Through interaction of stakeholders from every horizon, including representatives from numerous international institutions and ministries, more precise definition of themes and increased cooperation prior to the Forum will surely lead to an even more constructive event and to greater changes for water.
The Kick-Off Meeting came to an end on Tuesday, 20 March, after two days of exchanges, roundtables, workshops and brainstorming sessions. We can already state that it was a success and that it provided important indications for shaping the 5th World Water Forum.
The next step will be to set the thematic priorities and examine the various processes needed for implementing the proposed ideas. An agenda of important international events has also been established, in view of linking each of them to the 5th Forum’s preparatory process.
The Kick-Off also included roundtable discussions on regional components, where participants from each region gathered together to discuss ways of bringing important issues on the regional level to the Forum. Additionally, the meetings highlighted the importance of linking the 4th Forum to the 5th, through the involvement of our Mexican colleagues in the whole process. The results of these meetings will be synthesized and presented soon.
Please find below the reports from the Kick-Off Meeting:
