Our courtship began years ago, in Gland, we spent months of anguish in planning and reassurances and declarations of faith. With this report, signed barely one hour ago, our marriage became official in the eyes of the world. On behalf of the Commissioners, and the Secretariat, it is now time to take a well earned, ten day, worldwide honeymoon. Yet today is also a wake. For as I conclude my remarks, in a few moments, the Commission as we know it shall cease to exist.
Every river comes to an end, whether into field, faucet, or delta into the sea.
And so does our river, our Grand Confluence of a thousand tributaries. Though the Commission has grown close over the past few years, let no one mourn the parting. Let us, rather, celebrate its memorable and productive life, remember the laughter, tears, anguish, passion and the unexpected humane gestures and efforts along the way. I would propose a toast, but glasses await us in the reception that follows. For now, let me, for the last time, exercise my prerogative as the chair, and declare this, the tenth and last meeting of the World Commission on Dams, now at an end.