The world depends heavily on freshwater resources to sustain life and livelihoods, and as a buffer against poverty, malnutrition, disease and conflict. With climate change expected to affect rainfall patterns, some areas will experience droughts more frequently, while others may see water supplies compromised by rising seas. Low income countries that rely on rain-fed agriculture to sustain populations are particularly vulnerable.
To cope with increased demand for water – for agriculture, industry, sanitation, and household needs – at a time when water supplies are under threat from climate change, governments are encouraged to engage in integrated water resources management. The goal is to ensure an adequate supply of water of good quality for all while preserving the integrity of environmental services provided by ecosystems, including water purification, flood prevention and control.
DESA advises countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America on integrated water resources management and, among other things, provides expertise to utility operators on the effective management of water resources. DESA also functions as the secretariat of UN-Water, a group that coordinates international action, and supports the Water for Life decade, a campaign that promotes efforts to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.