H.R.H. Prince Willem Alexander analyses the Millennium Development Goals with water professionals

H.R.H. Prince Willem Alexander today discussed the critical factors influencing the Millennium Development Goals with 24 water professionals from Southern countries at UNESCO-IHE in Delft. These water professionals presented views on their countries’ development situation. New water management technologies, good governance and adequate financial resources were identified as conditions for achieving the MDGs. The peri-urban poor often lack access to basic water and sanitation services and are frequently exposed to pollution hazards. Their plight was identified as an important challenge since their numbers will increase rapidly during the coming decade. Experts from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh expressed concern about the natural disasters that frequently hit their regions such as floods, observing that it is often the poor that are hit hardest. A call was made for appropriate measures and the development of early warning systems that will minimise the loss of life.

The 24 water professionals are being prepared to play a leading role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals in their countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Ethiopia, Colombia, Uganda, Kenya, Bolivia, Tanzania, Philippines and Zambia.

The Water Mill Project provides post-graduate education to 72 water sector professionals over a period of three years (2004-2006) with 24 participants enrolling each year. The participants represent a significant number of the 36 partner countries of the Dutch Government. Priority is given to participants from the least developed and heavily indebted countries. WaterMill is funded by the Dutch development cooperation.