Critical water issues

• Mega-slums without toilets or running water
• Water-related disasters increasing due to climate change
• Groundwater depletion and pollution from unsustainable agriculture
• How to share “transboundary waters” equitably

The World Water Council convenes world leaders to build political momentum for solving critical water issues like these. www.worldwatercouncil.org. Margaret Pageler was elected to the WWC Board of Governors at the Fourth World Water Forum in Mexico City, 2006. The World Water Forums, organized every three years, attract 15,000-20,000 participants, bringing water professionals together with aid agencies, environmentalists, and government officials.

Margaret and Yesim, Youth Forum leader

Margaret is engaged in planning the political process for the Fifth World Water Forum to be held in Istanbul, 2009: www.worldwaterforum5.org. Margaret's role is to design and shepherd the involvement of city leaders in the Fifth Forum, spearheaded by Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas.

The Fifth Forum focuses on “Water Management Adaptation Strategies for Global Changes including Climate Change.” Margaret provided the first draft of the declaration which is being negotiated by mega-city mayors as the Istanbul Urban Water Consensus.

Istanbul Urban Water Consensus (PDF)