Senior representatives of governments and international organisations are meeting at the International Conference Centre here seeking solutions to the world's freshwater problems. Unless adequate means are found to stop the escalating global water crisis, experts here say, the water situation will be drastic in many parts of the world with catastrophic consequences for the poorer communities in developing countries. WMO forcasts show a rapid increase in water requirements, especially in developing regions. Currently some 29 countries suffer from moderate to severe water scarcity.
Many experts recognize some key dilemmas in handling the water problems of the world.
The decreasing useability of polluted water is widely acknowledged. And there is growing competition between urban and rural water users. One problem is the extreme difficulty of preparing a global assessment of freshwater resources because of the lack of sufficient and reliable information on water availability, its quality, and water use in many areas of the world. International action is required to overcome these limitations, Shiklomanov wrote, action that delegates to this conference are making plans to take. The water experts are also undertaking medium and long-term planning.