15 July 2011

University supporting Scotland's world water forum bid

Leading figures from the University of Dundee are supporting Scotland’s bid to host the 2015 World Water Forum.

A delegation from the World Water Council is visiting Scotland this week to consider the application to host the event, which would attract an estimated 20,000 delegates, and would be held in Glasgow.

Scotland is one of only two countries on the shortlist to host the 2015 event, the other being South Korea.

Professor Patricia Wouters, Director of IHP-HELP UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science at the University of Dundee, said, 'Water insecurity threatens communities across the globe - the lack of available water, and inequitable access to this precious resource results in conflicts. Scotland, with its history of innovation, including in the water sector, is an ideal location for the global community to meet and find new solutions to tackle the world water crisis. The future must be about hydro-diplomacy if we are to ensure 'water for all'.'

The international summit, which is held every three years, discusses a variety of issues ranging from water shortages and sanitation to access rights.

Engineers, academics and political leaders are among the 20,000 delegates who attend the forum, which can bring up to £20m to the host nation.

The World Water Council delegation are on a three-day fact-finding mission to Scotland during which they will hear about Scotland’s plans to host the Forum, meet First Minister Alex Salmond and tour facilities.

Last night Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil hosted a reception for the delegation at Edinburgh Castle, at which Professor Peter Cameron, Director of the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP), represented the University of Dundee on the top table.

'The University has been backing this bid very strongly,' said Professor Cameron. 'The expertise we have in Dundee in this area adds to a very strong Scottish bid and we are hopeful that Scotland can secure what would be a very prestigious event.'

The Graduate School of Natural Resources Law, Policy and Management at the University of Dundee brings together three Centres - CEPMLP, the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy & Science, and the Enterprise Gym - that interact closely with each other to deliver world-class research, consultancy, postgraduate programmes and advanced executive programmes for aspiring and current leaders in the natural resources sector.

The Centre also works with a number of external partners and with other specialist disciplines at the University of Dundee in the fields of law, physical geography, engineering, health, environment and science.

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