World Water Day 2011 focuses on addressing urban water challenges

The theme for the day is "Water and Urbanization." Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Francistown, Dr Obolokile Obakeng, who is Director of Water Affairs, explained that World Water Day 2011 is being spearheaded by UN-Habitat on behalf of UN-Water.  According to Dr Obakeng, the main objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.

"As a first step, UN-Habitat hosted two teleconferences last year, in April and July respectively, to shape the agenda for the World Water Day 2011. During the teleconferences, participating organizations outlined some key issues to be addressed under the theme of the World Water Day 2011," he noted.