Brussels, 13/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission defined its policy and priorities for development co-operation at the service of water management in developing countries. The Communication on the subject, adopted on the initiative of Commissioner Poul Nielson, aims to direct Union support for water resource management that is a crucial problem for many countries of Africa, Asia, Latin American, the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Mediterranean. It is a question of tackling the many problems related to increased shortage and the worsening quality of this natural resource of world heritage to ensure sustainable and fair access for populations to clean water, paying special attention to the fundamental needs of the poor. "Fair and sustainable management of this essential resource in of interest to society as a whole. To supply water and purification equipment to all is a major challenge that cannot be neglected by donor countries", the Commissioner points out in a press release.
The Commission's Communication stresses the need to consider the management of water resources as one chapter in the strategies to reduce poverty, such as fair access to social services, food security, sustainable rural development and regional co-operation, and proposes a comprehensive and integrated approach applicable to the different aspects of water resources management, as well as for all users. The main lines of action it recommends concern the following fields: conveyance and the treatment of water, cross-border management of water resources, provision of services associated with water, extension of purification networks and promotion of hygiene education, protection of water ecosystems and control of floods.