Brussels, 03/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - Following the World Water Forum in Istanbul which failed to agree on making access to the resource a human right, water was once again at the top of the agenda with a conference, in Brussels this time, on 2-3 April, on the sustainable management of water resources. The event, which was organised by the European Commission, took place at a key moment in the implementation of the framework directive on water since EU member states have to submit their first River Basin Management Plans by the end of the year. These plans will then have to be updated every six years. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas took the opportunity to spell out the extent to which effective management of water resources in the EU “will be vital if we are to face up to the many challenges which will put pressure on water availability and quantity in the future” and will be “absolutely crucial if we are to deal effectively with the consequences that climate change will throw at us”. River Basin Management Plans, which constitute an alternative to “arbitrary administrative or political limitations” to the use of water, are, Dimas said, “the key instrument” for “integrated planning and promoting sustainable water use”. (A.N./transl.rt)