International UN-Water Conference. Water in the Green Economy in Practice: Towards Rio+20. 3-5 October 2011

Interviews with session conveners

Gérard Bonnis

Gérard BonnisGérard Bonnis is Senior Policy Analyst, Environment Directorate of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

"If we do not act now, more than 40% of the world population will live in river basins subject to severe water stress by 2050, according to our projections."
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) convenes Session 1: Economic incentives in water management to support change towards green growth.
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Carlos Carrión-Crespo

Carlos CarrionCarlos Carrión-Crespo is Senior Specialist in Public Services at the International Labour Organization (ILO).

"We have to stop thinking about human resources and start thinking about resourceful humans."
The International Labour Organization (ILO) convenes Session 2: What reforms for green jobs?
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Julia Bucknall

Julia BucknallJulia Bucknall is Manager of the World Bank's central unit for Water.

"For me, the green economy means thinking hard about making sure that the actions of today will not lock us into problems tomorrow. Also, it means thinking hard about ways in which we can meet the needs of the poor and the needs of poor countries."
The World Bank convenes Session 3: Cost recovery and alternatives for sustainable financing of water services to leap forward and provide services to the poor, promote growth and reduce environmental impacts.
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Thomas Chiramba

Thomas ChirambaThomas Chiramba is Chief of the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit in the Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

"In the transition to a green economy, we should focus on the issues that matter most."
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convenes Session 4: Investments and fiscal measures for the protection and improvement of biodiversity to promote green growth.
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Reza Ardakanian

Reza ArdakanianReza Ardakanian is Director of the UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development (UNW-DPC).

"Aiming at a green economy for sustainable growth requires solving of pressing water and sanitation issues."
The UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development (UNW-DPC) convenes Session 5: The contribution of water technology to job creation and development of enterprises.
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Rafael Romeo García

Rafael RomeoRafael Romeo is President of the Ebro River Basin Authority (CHE).

"We have to get past the perception that protecting the environment undermines economic development."
The Ebro River Basin Authority (CHE) convenes Session 8: Water planning to support the transition towards green growth.
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Mohamed Al-Hamdi

Mohamed Al-HamdiMohamed Al-Hamdi is First Economic Affairs Officer in the Water Resources Section the Sustainable Development and Productivity Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

"I am sure that there are many good messages that have been raised during the preparatory process towards Rio+20, but I believe that a message of equity is one that many will support."
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) convenes Session 6: Water and the green economy in the ESCWA region.
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Caridad Canales

Caridad CanalesCaridad Canales is Economic Affairs Officer, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

"We should rethink the future we want, and one without water cannot be envisaged."
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) convenes Session 7: Water and the green economy in the LAC region.
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