27 August 2004
International water meeting on the Tay
Photo opportunity 10.30am, Monday 30 August, Apex Hotel, City Quay, Dundee.
More than 100 academics, engineers and policy makers from 32 countries will assemble in Dundee next week
to work out a way for everyone in the world to get access to the water they need- the largest conference
to date on water law.
The International Water Law Research Institute (IWLRI) at the University of Dundee is hosting this key
conference bringing together world experts to discuss the way water resources are managed around the
world.
Mike Bonnell, from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will
speak at the conference on the model of water arbitration used by communities on 75 rivers - combining
law, science and policy to tackle problems. Mr Bonnell, who is UNESCO's chief water scientist will declare
the work of IWLRI an integral part of UNESCO’s approach to water issues.
Although 1.2. billion people around the world currently lack access to safe water sources and competition
for water is set to get worse, it is now widely accepted that the problem is not caused by a lack of
water but by the way it is managed. The conference, which has been organised in conjunction with the
American Water Resources Association, will address problems caused as a result of the poor management of
water resources, whether as a result of corruption, inadequate data or lack of enforcement of
regulations, and will try to come up with guidelines to be used by countries that are making efforts to
improve their water governance.
Dr Pat Wouters, Director of the IWLRI and host of the conference said: ""The Millenium Development Goals,
one of which aims to reduce by half the number of people without access to safe water, have to be met by
2015. Without drastic improvements in the accountability of those in charge of water management and
greater transparency in providing water and sanitation to people, there is little hope that this goal
will be met. This conference is the first to be entirely devoted to the topic, and will be a real step
forward in enabling the Millenium Development Goals to be achieved."
"I am delighted to welcome our international guests to Dundee. As a Canadian myself I am excited that so
many delegates are visiting Dundee and sampling the best of Scottish hospitality at our conference. I
wish them all a warm welcome."
The conference will take place in Dundee's Apex Hotel from Sunday 29 August until Thursday 3rd
September.
Full conference programme available to media on request.
Contact Dr Patricia Wouters on 01382 55 2294 or office 1382 344456
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk | 
