Hungary is currently hosting the United Nations’ World Water Summit, taking place on October 8-11 in Budapest. The prestigious event is co-organised by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Rural Development. In 2013, the world celebrates the International Year of Water Cooperation with a series of international events.

Some 1,500 participants from over 100 countries are expected to attend the four-day event, including statesmen, diplomats, scientists and businessmen. The Summit was opened by Hungary’s President János Áder and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

On Tuesday, President Áder urged the international community to work together to find solutions for the conservation of the world's fresh water. "Humanity has consumed more resources over the past five decades than over the previous five thousand years," he said in his opening speech. He highlighted that “four out of every 10 people do not have access to sufficient clean drinking water." and stated that "If we do not reverse this process, 25 years from now, two thirds of humanity will be in this same situation”.

Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas spoke at the conference’s board of directors' meeting, where he emphasised the fundamental importance of water stocks to everyday life. He stated that access to healthy drinking water is a fundamental human right and both interest groups and international communities must work together to provide it. Hungary has fresh water resources that are significant even from a global perspective, here in the heart of the Carpathian Basin, he added.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his opening speech: "Water and sanitation is key to achieving the Millennium goals.", and also emphasised Hungary’s crucial and historical role in this field.

The summit is expected to adopt recommendations for the post-2015 UN development goals, which are an extension of the Millennium Goals adopted in 2000. It will provide a platform for discussions on a wide range of issues related to global development policy and the post-2015 development period.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)