Water does not just save lives in the short term – it is also a cornerstone of long term development. Water is a natural resource in demand, like oil or minerals, and can be used to support economic growth. Effective management of water is crucial to help make sure families, farmers and business get the water they need to help beat poverty.
Using water wisely
Water can help countries grow. For example, careful storage and use of seasonal rainwater can lead to increased economic output – such as using the water to improve crop yields during dry seasons.
Hydroelectric power is another productive use of water, but one that is often underused in poor countries. While Europe is tapping around three-quarters of its hydroelectric power potential, the whole of Africa is currently exploiting just 7%.
We will work with more poor countries to use their water wisely and to maximise its benefits.
Tackling too little and too much water
The demand for water is growing rapidly as countries develop and population increases. As a result, some estimates suggest that nearly half the world's population could be living in areas with water stress in less than 15 years' time.
Climate change will add to this pressure in different ways, bringing droughts and chronic water shortages to some places, while other regions are hit by increasing floods. Around the world, one in three people are already facing water shortages, but in places like Pakistan, some 21 million people were affected by the overwhelming floods last year. What is certain is that the impacts of climate change will be felt mainly through water.
Cycles of flooding and drought are only likely to get worse, while the increasing pressure on global water resources is already leading to tensions between communities and countries that share water. That is why we will focus on better information sharing and relationship building to help get the right amount of water to where it is needed, for communities, the environment and the economy.
Working together on water
We are working across countries to promote better co-operation and balance competing demands. For example, the South Asian Water initiative is already yielding benefits by brokering greater information sharing between neighbouring countries on water, development of co-operative research and the development of a Ganga River Basin authority in India.
We've also played a key role in supporting different countries who share access to the Nile to build up trust by undertaking joint research and holding regular meetings at technical and political levels. This has led to real benefits in spotting large-scale projects that will help better water resource management.
We will help countries share good water management practice and build up skills. One way we have been doing this is through our support to the Global Water Partnership. At the national level, the initiative provides a neutral platform to help ease the political decisions that have to be taken in the sharing of this much needed resource.
The private sector is increasingly engaged in the management of water resources and another key player for us to work with. Many corporations now recognise their role in water stewardship and the water they use in terms of their own water 'footprint'. Much of this relates to managing business risks, but some businesses are taking very forward-thinking approaches to working with the wider communities in the river basins where they operate.
There is real potential for the private sector, government and citizens themselves to work together to improve water management, and we will continue to promote this co-operation for the benefit of poor people in the long term.