The Japanese government plans to announce a comprehensive package of 90 measures, including the formation of a network of Asian nations to prevent water pollution, at the 3rd World Water Forum that begins next week in Osaka, Kyoto and Shiga prefectures.
The measures will be included in World Water Actions, a document outlining measures taken around the world to be drawn up at the forum.
Ministers from more than 100 countries will focus on five key issues at the Forum, including safe drinking water and sanitation, water for food production and agricultural development, the prevention of water pollution and the preservation of ecosystems.
The Environment Ministry will take the lead in forming the antipollution network in Asia. Sources close to the ministry said the network would post information on water pollution hot spot projections and other issues of common interest on a database that can be accessed via the Internet by member countries.
The ministry reportedly plans to transfer septic-tank technology to several countries, including Indonesia and Romania, and to help preserve the habitats of migrant birds in the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: Yomiuri Press
