This article is about the discussions held at the 16th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development and recognizes that Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) was the framework for the entire water sector and an essential tool for effectively managing water resources and water-related issues. This article highlights certain connections between water and the following thematic areas: 1) sustainable consumption and production, 2) mining, 3) chemicals, 4) waste management and 5) transport.
- Water is essential in the production of any good: production and consumption patterns have direct effect on the world's water supplies.
- Water experts have developed technologies and management approaches that can both offer solutions to challenges in moving towards sustainable production processes and raise awareness of consumers.
- Waterways carry the largest share of transport of goods.
- Maritime safety and security standards are important for safeguarding waterways and humans and ecosystems depend on them.
- Mining impacts water quality and quantity. As such, it's important to continue to enforce legislative frameworks and to plan and control water use and discharge in mining operations.
- While the technology and know-how exist to prevent the degradation of water resources, toxic chemicals and waste products continue to contaminate saltwater and freshwater bodies.
- Preventing pollution and using existing treatment technologies along with the know-how available in ecosystem conservation will be crucial in devising solutions towards sustainable development.
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- Copyright 2010 UN-Water, UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation.
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