Yerevan, 23 March 2011 – Representatives of Armenian government, international organizations and civil society experts discussed the issues of water resources protection and preservation globally and in Armenia during the round table discussion dedicated to the International World Water Day. The round table discussion was organized by the UN Department of Public Information, the “Association for Sustainable Human Development" and “Country Water Partnership” NGO. This year the theme of the Day is “Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge”. One in two people on the planet live in a city. The world’s cities are growing and urbanization is a continuum. Investments in infrastructure have not kept up with the rate of urbanization, while water and waste services show significant underinvestment. The central problem is therefore the management of urban water and waste. The participants discussed the issues of water supply, results of some implemented projects in Armenia and their coordination. As a major source of freshwater in Armenia the issue of improvement of Lake Sevan ecological situation, as well as other relevant topics were touched upon during the event. The Representative of UN Department of Public Information, Maria Dotsenko said: “The UNDPI is pleased to facilitate this dialogue among water supplying companies, authorities and civil society experts aimed to protect and preserve the water resources, as well as manage the urban water and waste.” “I hope that the outcomes of the discussion will not only contribute to the raising of public awareness but will lead to concrete activities aimed at preservation of the natural treasury of Armenia: Lake Sevan and other valuable sources of fresh water.” World Water Day is marked annually since 1993 on 22 March as a means of focusing attention of the UN Member States on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

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