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Newsletter and Technical Publications Preface In the face of continuing burgeoning urban populations, the need to supply adequate water to meet societal needs and to ensure equity of access to water persist as most urgent and critical, especially in developing countries. Vanishing freshwater resources due to global warming and other natural factors could lead to worse conditions in these countries. However, as reported by UNEP in its 1999 GEO Report, pollution from land-based activities of cities contributes tremendously to the depletion of freshwater resources. Freshwater is one of the concentration areas of UNEP. Global environmental assessments, which include assessment of freshwater resources and freshwater use, and conservation and management of freshwater resources, are part of UNEP. priorities for the current biennium, 2000-2001. On the other hand, the principles of a 'sound hydrological cycle' have been adopted as guiding principles by Japan in its water policy. Japan's Environment Agency has undertaken studies on the basic strategy and policy direction that Japan will follow to ensure that the principles of a sound hydrological cycle is integrated in watershed management. Along this line, Japan recognizes that the application of technologies and approaches in efficient water use will be imperatives not only in developing countries but in developed countries as well. Under these circumstances, the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP-IETC) organised an International Symposium on Efficient Water Use in Urban Areas -Innovative Ways of Finding Water for Cities on 8-10 June 1999 at WHO Kobe Centre, and in collaboration with the Environmental Agency of Japan, the Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC) in Osaka and the International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) in Shiga. The symposium was aimed at enhancing the capacity of urban managers and decision-makers in water resources management. About 150 delegates from 45 developing countries, mostly managers and decision/policy-makers, from national and local government agencies, water supply authorities, urban planning departments, as well as from international agencies and NGOs with interest in efficient water use, participated in the symposium to reflect on these issues and share their views. This publication contains session summaries, technical papers presented and information materials produced for the symposium. At IETC we think that it is a valuable source of information and reference for all who are involved or are interested in water policy development and promoting sustainable water use.
Lilia GC. Casanova December 1999
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