Briefing December 2017

8TH WORLD WATER FORUM Brasilia, 18-23 March 2018

“Sharing Water”

This briefing aims at informing UCLG members on key background elements prior to the 8th World Water Forum due to take place in Brasilia, , from 18th to 23rd March 2018

UCLG and the issue of Water

The Final Declaration of the UCLG Founding The World Water Forum is the world’s biggest Congress stated: “Access to sufficient, good water-related event and is organized by the quality water at a reasonable price must be a , an international right for all, and requires both legislative and organization that brings together all those social measures to protect the least advantaged interested in the theme of water. communities.” It is crucial for UCLG to have a presence at this Although overall improvements in citizens’ major meeting in order to promote the local access to water and sanitation services can be government position on the local management noted on a global scale, there are still of water resources. UCLG’s participation will inadequacies in many urban areas, especially in make it possible to initiate a debate with informal settlements. This is especially the case national governments, corporate partners and regarding access to piped water, which could be leading international organisations on the seen as a minimum living standard for urban areas. Between 1990 and 2010, the number of Deadlines urban-dwellers without access to piped water grew by nearly 300 million. Registration to the Forum:

 10th January 2018 (first deadline) UCLG has played a key role in mobilizing its  28th February 2018 (second deadline) members and defending the interests of local and regional governments at various World Sponsorship expression of interest: Water Forums (Mexico 2006, 2009 and  30th January 2018 2012, 2015).

Share case studies: During the 7th World Water Forum in Daegu in  22nd December 2017 2015, the Final Document showed the commitment and strategy of local and regional To contribute to Brasilia Call for Action: authorities, urged national governments to  30h January 2018 strengthen decentralisation and the institutional capacities of local authorities, and supported decentralised co-operation through innovative importance of local action to achieve the SDGs, financial instruments. and especially SDG6.

The previous editions also recognised the role of The Structure of the Forum local and regional authorities in delivering basic services related to drinking water and The Forum’s contents and structure are defined wastewater treatment. and implemented by five distinct commissions responsible, respectively, for: “Sharing Water”  The Thematic Process, which discusses The 8th World Water Forum will be held from which themes the Forum will address; 18-23 March 2018 in Brasilia and is being  The Political Process, which involves local, organised by the Government of Brazil and the regional, national governing bodies and World Water Council. Its main theme will be parliamentarians, as well juridical and judge “Sharing Water”. representatives, has resulted in memoranda of understandings, cooperation treaties and The aim of the Forum is to draw on local actions agreements for the integrated water resource in order to improve water management in order management; to fulfil SDG6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

 The Regional Process, which discusses Sponsorship procedure various problems and guidelines for cooperation and integrated water Please note that there will be a limited amount management on each continent or of resources available to sponsor the geographic region; participation of local elected officials from  The Sustainability Focus Group, which Least Developed Countries, as far as the discusses the adherence of public policies and registration fee, the airticket and the hotel is actions to the principals of sustainable concerned. (economic, social and environmental) development in a cross-cutting perspective, We would like to encourage local elected officials participating in all the other processes; and that wish to contribute and attend the World  The Citizens' Forum, which stimulates the Forum to send an expression of interest to participation of organized civil society in the [email protected]; [email protected] discussions, exchanges of experience and all before 30th January. the Forum’s other activities Please note that due to limited amount of The International Conference of resources available, UCLG may not be in Local and Regional Authorities capacity to accommodate all requests.

United Cities and Local Governments is co- How to get involved? organizer of the International Conference of Local and Regional Authorities, together with 1. Themes to be discussed ICLEI, GWOPA (the Global Water Operators’ The UCLG World Secretariat will co-ordinate Partnerships Alliance), the World Water Council the participation of local authorities in the 8th and the Brazilian partners, that will take place World Water Forum. Towns, cities and on 20-21 March 2018. national local government associations are invited to advise the World Secretariat of The aim of the International Conference is for the themes they would like to be local and regional governments to share their discussed in Brasilia. experiences and solutions on water and sanitation. 2. Case studies to be shared The World Secretariat also welcomes case The fifth edition will aim to highlight the studies from your local government on all importance of integrated and sustainable practical experience linked to water and water management led by local governments sanitation: i.e. on water planning, legislation, in the context of the implementation of the financing, resilience of infrastructure, water Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well governance. as multi-level governance for water and sanitation, and better financing for services. How to register? Please follow the instructions on The Conference will include 2 plenaries, 8 http://www.worldwaterforum8.org/en/re breakout sessions and 1 showcase experience gister session. Please note that sponsored delegates will be fee- The Brasilia Local and Regional waved to the Forum. Governments Call for Action on Water For further information:

The International Conference of Local and Regional Authorities will commit globally by Please contact the UCLG World Secretariat: agreeing on a “Brasilia Local and Regional Mohamed Boussraoui: Governments Call for Action on Water”, [email protected] encouraging actors to apply 10 recommendations resulting in experiences and Jean-Baptiste Buffet lessons learned. [email protected]

The 10 recommendations include, among others, World Water Council: the promotion of urban water resilience, [email protected] capacity building in water governance, and + 55613039-8530 equity access to balancing quality and quantity for marginalised population. Twitter: @ WaterForum8

UCLG welcomes any addition to the draft Call for Action enclosed, before 30th January 2018 by writing to [email protected]; [email protected]