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NEWS RELEASE
Protection of ecosystems is the solution to the water crisis, says Director General
Berlin, 19 June, 2001 (IUCN) - Director General of IUCN - the World Conservation
Union, Achim Steiner, called the protection of our ecosystems a
crucial condition for the continued supply of clean water.
The
Director General spoke before an inquiry committee of the German
Parliament on Globalisation and the Global Economy in Berlin on 18
June. Over 400 politicians and international experts attended this
meeting that focused on the challenges of the global economy in
relation to water resources.
The increasing overuse of water resources and the destruction of
ecosystems that are vital for the provision of those water resources
is a growing concern. Achim Steiner proposed a series of measures,
including improved governance and realistic pricing of the resource.
Many environmental costs, for instance the loss of habitat due to dam
construction, are not reflected in the price of water. New mechanisms
of pricing and financing are needed to ensure healthy ecosystems and
clean water: 'Our environment should be the baseline, not an
afterthought to the economic rationale', Achim Steiner said.
The paper presented to the Committee, 'Ausweg aus dem Wasserdilemma:
natürliche Gewässer sichern und menschlichen Bedarf decken' by Steiner
and Bergkamp, is available online .
IUCN - The World Conservation Union was founded in 1948 and brings together 79 states, 112 government agencies, 760 NGOs, 37 affiliates, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Within the framework of global conventions, IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN has approximately 1000 staff, most of whom are located in its 42 regional and country offices while 100 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.
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