World water conference starts in Brazil after UN warning
Brazilian President Michel Temer has opened an international conference on world water supplies in Brasilia, saying there is "no time to lose" to avoid disaster.
The conference opened on Monday hours after the United Nations issued its 2018 World Water Development Report warning that about 3.6 billion people, or half the world's population, already live in areas where water can be scarce at least one month a year.
That could rise to 5.7 billion people by 2050, the report said.
"There is simply no time to lose," Temer said in opening remarks at the 8th World Water Forum which runs all week in the Brazilian capital.
Under the slogan "sharing water," the forum brings together 15 heads of state and government, 300 mayors and dozens of experts. An estimated 40,000 people are expected to attend, organizers say.
Participants were meeting against the backdrop of the drama in Cape Town, which until earlier this month was projected to run out of water as early as July, forcing the closing of household taps and extreme rationing.
That crisis has now eased, with the local government saying that a campaign to bring 60 percent reduction in consumption has done enough to avert the shut-off.
"This is the consensus," Temer said. "Life on earth is threatened if we don't respect nature's limits."
(Source: AFP)
G20 leaders call for ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon as their support for Israel blasted
Brazilian journo fined, ordered to delete posts over criticizing Gaza onslaught
Putin: BRICS, not the West, will drive global economic prosperity
Diplomat discourages recourse to pressure, intimidation, confrontation against Iran
UN: 2024 deadliest year for aid workers amid genocide in Gaza
Gaza health official warns of hospital shutdowns within 48 hours
Israel kills 5 more paramedics in southern Lebanon: Health ministry
Iran to launch ‘new, advanced’ centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution: AEOI
Yemen fires hypersonic missile at Israeli airbase
VIDEO | New Delhi chokes under toxic smog as air quality remains at hazardous levels
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
