FAO NEWS RELEASE - www.fao.org FAO to put food security at center of discussions at World Water Forum Daegu and Gyeongbuk, South Korea – 12-17 April 2015 With climate change, population growth and modern lifestyles putting increasing pressure on water resources, water is poised to become a key issue of the 21st century. Hosted every three years, the World Water Forum<http://eng.worldwaterforum7.org/main/> is the largest international event aimed at finding joint solutions to the planet's many water challenges. Food production –which uses a large portion of available water resources – lies at the heart of this discussion. Managing water resources in a way that is sustainable for future generations while meeting the needs of today is a growing concern – one that calls for diverse solutions, ranging from conservation policies to technological innovation. The forum will see the release of two publications by FAO and partners: Groundwater Governance - A Global Framework for Action<http://www.groundwatergovernance.org/>, a set of policy guidelines and recommendations to improve groundwater management, will be launched today April 10 at 8:00 EST / 14:00 CET, followed on April 14 by Towards a Water and Food Secure Future, a white paper on policies, investments, and governance changes needed to safeguard water resources and feed a growing population. (For a detailed forum program click here<http://worldwaterforum7.org/introduce/program/file/Program_book_low-resoultion.pdf>) Learn more · Information on FAO's participation: Nicoletta Forlano, FAO (Rome): +39 06 570 54068, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> · World Water forum media contacts<http://eng.worldwaterforum7.org/news/contact.asp> · FAO's work on water issues<http://www.fao.org/nr/water/promotional.html> · On Twitter: @wwaterforum7<https://twitter.com/wwaterforum7>, #wwaterforum7<https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23wwaterforum7&src=typd> Events with FAO participation Please note below events are in local South Korea time (7-hour time difference<http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meetingtime.html?iso=20150413&p1=636&p2=215&p3=28> with Rome) Monday, April 13 Water and food security in a changing world: regional perspectives – opening plenary 09:00-09:40 | GYEONGJU–HICO, GHC 106, 1F Room 101, 102 | FAO Water for food security and nutrition - premiere of a report of the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition for the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) 13:30-14:30 | DAEGU-EXCO, DEC 310, 3F Room 324 | High-level panel of experts on food security and nutrition Mountains, the water towers facing climate change 13:30-14:30 | DAEGU-EXCO, DEC 305, 3F Room 315 | FAO, Mountain partnership Mountain areas provide 60-80 percent of the world’s freshwater resources and are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. This side event present experiences from mountain areas around the world with the impacts of climate change on water resources to discuss existing or future adaptation options. A shared vision and framework for action for groundwater governance 17:00-19:00 | DAEGU-EXCO, DEC 312, 3F Room 325BD | FAO, UNESCO IHP, Int’l Association of hydrogeologists (IAH), World Bank, Global Environment Fund (GEF) This session marks the release of a set of policy guidelines and recommendations to improve groundwater management. Forests and water: a challenging match? 19:10-20:10 | DAEGU-EXCO, 3F Room 320 | FAO Forests play a crucial role in the hydrological cycle. During this session, experts will present a 5-year forest and water agenda and finalize plans for a Forests and Water Dialogue at the upcoming World Forestry Congress in 2015 in Durban. Tuesday, April 14 The water-energy-food nexus: Are we finally talking? 09:00-11:00 | DAEGU-EXCO, DEC 307, 3F Room 321 | FAO, Int’l Water Association (IWA), Int’l Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Two panel discussions, the first focusing on sustainable development goals, livelihoods and their relationship to water, energy and food; the second on infrastructure development, investments, policies and subsidies. Managing Asia’s transition to achieve food and nutrition security and building vibrant rural communities 13:30-14:30 | GYEONGJU – HICO, GHC 106, 1F Room 101, 102 | FAO Water and food security in a changing world: regional perspectives – plenary 11:20-13:20 | GYEONGJU–HICO, GHC 106, 1F Room 101, 102 | FAO Life, the universe, fish and chips and everything: a cross-sectoral approach to food security 13:30-14:30 | DAEGU–EXCO, DEC_312, 3F Room 325BD | FAO How can we achieve a water and food secure future? 17:00-19:00 | DAEGU-EXCO, DEC 502, 5F Auditorium | FAO This event coincides with the launch of the white paper Towards a Water and Food Secure Future, discussing policies, investments, and governance changes needed to safeguard water resources. Wednesday, April 15 Adapting to change for sustainable water use in agriculture 09:00-11:00 | DAEGU-EXCO, DEC 307, 3F Room 321 | FAO FAO projects that by 2050, farmers globally need to produce 60 percent more food to satisfy a population of more than 9 billion people. The session will focus on options for adapting to changing environmental circumstances at the farm level, the systems level and the planning level. Friday, April 17 Water for Food – concluding session 11:20-13:20 | DAEGU-Inter-Burgo Hotel, DIB B101, B1F Grand Ballroom A | FAO This session will synthesize conference outcomes, touching on topics related to the forum them "Water and food and agriculture," such as water use-efficient technologies, water quality management, climate change adaptation and water use for agriculture. 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