DAEGU, 16 April 2015 – The Philippines joined the international community in calling for urgent action to address global water challenges during the 7th World Water Forum (WWF) that was held in Daegu and Gyeongju from April 12 to 17, 2015.

The Philippine delegation to the WWF was led by the Philippines’ Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources Ramon J. P. Paje, together with Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez as Co-Head of Delegation. Other delegation members were First Secretary and Consul General Iric C. Arribas, National Water Resources Board Executive Director Sevillo D. David, Jr, Noel Antonio V. Gaerlan, Executive Director of the Manila Bay Coordinating Office, and Attaché Jhoanna Jarasa. At the WWF’s Opening Ceremony held in Daegu on Sunday, 12 April 2015, President Park Geun-hye cited the severe reality of water shortages and urged an international response in addressing this issue, noting that “water supply and management problems are not just national issues, but issues for all mankind as climate change accelerates”. Mr. Benedito Braga, the Brazil-born President of the Marseille-based World Water Council, called water security “a fundamental issue that directly impacts food security and the survival of humankind”. He emphasized that adequate financing and the utilization of science and technology would be critical in achieving the goals of water security and sustainable growth. In a statement delivered during the Ministerial Conference held in Gyeongju on Monday, 13 April 2015, Secretary Paje stated that “the Philippine government is committed to supporting the WWF Ministerial Declaration through the enhanced institutionalization and implementation of the Philippine Integrated Water Resources Management Framework”. Secretary Paje highlighted the need for appropriate financing, infrastructure and the dissemination of relevant technologies for water regulation and management. He expressed the Philippine government’s willingness to share its national experience in water-related disaster awareness with the international community. The Ministerial Conference closed with the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration that stressed the importance of concerted international action in advancing water-related cooperation on a global scale. The WWF, held every three years since 1997, is one of the largest international water events where more than 170 countries work together on joint approaches in addressing global water challenges. More than 3,000 people attended this year’s forum which featured the theme “Water for Our Future”. In a departure from previous fora, this event focused on the importance of harnessing science and technology and innovation to conserve valuable water resources and to ensure their sustainability. –END–