The 1st Asia-Pacific Water Forum, Oita Prefecture, Japan - December 3 - 4

The 1st Asia Pacific Water Forum was held in Oita Prefecture, Japan from December 3 to 4, 2007 focusing on three priority themes [Water Financing and Capacity Development, Water-related Disaster Management and Water for Development and Ecosystems], and attended by around 300 heads of state and government representatives from 49 countries and regions around the world.
The opening ceremony, on December 3, was attended by His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan; His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands; His Excellency Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, the Prime Minister of Japan; His Excellency Mr. Yoshiro Mori, former Prime Minister of Japan; and Prof. Tommy Koh, Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum.

The APRSAF secretariat had an interview with Mr. Basanta Raj Shrestha, Division Head of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) who introduced the dangerousness of glacial lakes at Himalayan Region during the summit.

"The glacial lakes are becoming huge because of the melting caused by global warming and there are about 200 lakes that could discharge and cause flooding. If that happens, the damage will extend to farms, roads and electric power plants in the downstream areas. Around 20,000 to 25,000 people in Nepal alone will have their lives put in danger," Dr. Shrestha warned.

The 1st Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) website:
http://www.apwf.org/index.html