S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 The Moroccan government \u2018s King Hassan II Great World Water Prize will be awarded during the 8th World Water Forum in Brazil next year. Individuals and organizations can nominate professionals who carry out relevant work in water-related issues.<\/p>\n
The forum will run from March 18 to 23 in Bras\u00edlia, and over 450 international and Brazilian organizations are involved, according to the event\u2019s executive director Ricardo Andrade. Fifteen thousand people are expected to attend the forum each day. Eight heads of state have confirmed their attendance. Morocco\u2019s prime-minister Saadeddine Othmani will be present for the award ceremony during the opening of the forum.<\/p>\n
Themed \u201cSharing Water,\u201d the Forum will cover good practices, past experiences, international cooperation and partnerships involving organizations and governments. Attendees will include local and international authorities, self-employed workers, private sector players and academicians. \u201cIt is a pluralistic environment where everyone gets their say and can contribute their own views,\u201d Andrade told ANBA.<\/p>\n
Arab countries are usually involved in the Forum, whose first-ever edition took place in Morocco. \u201cThere\u2019s always an actual and relevant participation from Arabs,\u201d says Andrade, noting that Europe and the Americas are also well represented.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s event will cover six subjects \u2013 climate, people, development, urban, ecosystems and finance \u2013 as well as three themes that will permeate all discussions \u2013 sustainability, governance and competitiveness. The Citizen Village area is designed to host activities whose goal is to improve people\u2019s use of water. An Expo & Fair will feature national and corporate pavilions where products and services will be on offer.<\/p>\n
The King Hassan II Great World Water Prize was created in connection with the Forum. The government of Morocco holds each edition of the prize alongside the World Water Council and the country hosting the Forum. Nominations for the ongoing edition will be accepted until November 30. The prize is USD 100,000. The Brazilian civil engineer Jelson Kelman won the prize in 2003. Currently the president of the S\u00e3o Paulo water utility company Sabesp, he is a professor in water resources. He has published books and worked with several water-related institutions.<\/p>\n
The Brazilian edition of the Forum is being organized by the Brazilian Ministry of Environment, with backing from Brazil\u2019s National Water Agency (ANA), the Federal District government, and the Water, Energy and Basic Sanitation Authority of the Brazilian Federal District (Adasa). The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce <\/strong>is looking into becoming involved, since Arab countries are particularly interested in water-related issues.<\/p>\n Quick facts: <\/strong><\/p>\n World Water Forum King Hassan II Great World Water Prize *Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nMarch 18 to 23, 2018
\nBras\u00edlia – DF
\nWebsite: http:\/\/www.worldwaterforum8.org\/<\/p>\n
\nNominations open until November 30, 2017
\nNomination form: http:\/\/hassan2.worldwatercouncil.org\/index.php\/en\/nomination-form-2017<\/p>\n