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Globally, developing countries are facing significant threats to water security and quality. Industrialization, economic growth, urbanization, population growth and agricultural production are causing problems for water security, availability and accessibility. In the Asia-Pacific region, nearly 2 billion people have poor and limited access to water and this number is projected to reach 5 billion by 2050. Water pollution has increased, while extreme weather events and disasters caused by climate change are worsening water security and quality situations.
The integrated and sustainable management of water resources, including rainwater harvesting and water pricing, and sustainable development of water infrastructure, are crucial to addressing the water crisis globally and the issues raised in the sustainable development goals. It is important to acknowledge that water management is not only a standalone goal (SDG Goal 6) but has close connections to other socio-economic, environmental and development issues. It is time to discuss and share how to reshape the water sector to meet technology and policy needs effectively, strengthen the social and environmental resilience through appropriate financial support, and identify practical actions to be taken by each stakeholder within the overall system.
In response to this, the UN Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) are offering a 4-day program on reshaping the water sector to enhance national capabilities of resolving the sector-specific climate crisis. Through 3 days of in-person workshops and a 1-day field trip, this program seeks to: 1) Acknowledge the current status of the water crisis; 2) Share the latest technology, policy, and finance solutions to address challenges in the sector; and 3) Support invited NDEs (20) in understanding the actual operation of one of the latest technologies. Distinguished technology experts, climate finance organizations, and policy designers in the water sector will present the latest information for NDEs to consider adapting in future CTCN technical assistance projects.