Welcome to the Decade's Weekly! Every week it brings you the latest news from the International Decade for Action 'Water for Life' 2005-2015. Please feel free to forward this newsletter. You can also access this newsletter online.

Date: 22 March 2014
Place: Worldwide
Lead: United Nations University (UNU) and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)

Earlier this year, the 2014 UN-Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference paved the way to World Water Day (WWD) and provided much insight into the water and energy challenges faced.. In less than 30 days, WWD will provide the opportunity to communicate important messages to wider audiences.

How are you planning to take part? The WWD website supplies a rich resource of campaign materials such as a logo kit, posters and infographics, web banners and videos to help you spread the word. A detailed advocacy guide has been released with the aim of aiding learning, action and sharing, the guide contains everything you need to begin your participation. Get involved!

>> World Water Day website >> World Water Day advocacy guide >> World Water Day campaign materials

General Assembly thematic debate on Water, Sanitation and Sustainable Energy in the Post-2015 Development Agenda concludes calling for ambitious Sustainable Development Goals on water and energy
United Nations officials warned of the importance of the water, sanitation and sustainable energy crises amidst the World's imminent development challenges during the UN General Assembly debate that urged Member States to initiate integrated policies and innovative strategies in response to these issues. The Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon emphasized the importance of access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene stating that they "must feature prominently in the post-2015 development agenda." In addition, the effects of climate change on the water, sanitation and energy nexus were brought into question, in response the UN Secretary General intends to convene a climate Summit on 23 September for global leaders.
>> More info >> Statements by country representatives and UN Deputy Secretary-General >> Video recording of Opening segment and Panel 1 "The water and sanitation challenge" >> Video recording of Panel 2 "The sustainable energy challenge" >> Video recording of Panel 3 The water-energy nexus

In preparation for the IWREC meeting, 7-9 September 2014, to be hosted by the World Bank in Washington DC under the theme "Efficiency and Water Conservation: Methodologies and Case Studies", the organizers are accepting papers until 28 February 2014 Papers submitted must be within the following topics: Water and economic growth, residential water efficiency and conservation, integration of water for energy and energy for water, agricultural water productivity versus efficiency and conservation, water reuse and recycling, climate change and efficiency of water supply and use.
>> More info

Vacancy: Secretary of the FAO-Water Platform
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking to appoint a Secretary of its Water Platform. This position is open to anybody with an advanced University degree in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Sciences, Engineering or Agricultural Sciences with a focus on water related issues; at least ten years of relevant experience in agriculture, with a focus on water issues in one or more relevant areas such as irrigation, Integrated Water Resources Management, water governance, multiple uses of water for food production, climate change, institutional collaboration and partnerships. The successful candidate will lead the coordination and streamlining of water-related work across the Organisation.
>> More info and to apply

Date: 24-28 February 2014
Place: FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy
Organizers: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

The FAO Regional Conferences meet every two years, bringing together ministers of agriculture and high officials of Member States from the same geographic region on challenges that transcend national borders and priority matters related to food and agriculture. NERC-32 will include a three-day meeting for Senior Officers from 24 to 26 February, followed by a Ministerial Meeting on 27 and 28 February. Participants are set to discuss a new Regional Water Scarcity Initiative, launched by FAO to support member countries in identifying strategies, policies and practices that promote sustainable solutions to water scarcity and related food security problems. Use the Twitter hashtag #nerc32 to follow the Conference.
>> More info
>> Facthseet on 'Coping with water scarcity in the Near East and North Africa'

Date: 24-28 February 2014
Place: Hanoi, Viet Nam
Organizers: UNESCO's International Hydrological Programme in collaboration with other organisations

The Flow Regime from International Experimental and Network Data (FRIEND)-Water Conference 2014 will focus on the theme "Hydrology in a Changing World: Environmental and Human Dimensions." FRIEND-Water aims to facilitate understanding about how climate, human and river basin factors influence the spatial and temporal distribution of water. The conference will share knowledge on changes in hydrological processes and their impacts and discuss how to develop adaptable water management and water policies to account for these impacts.
>> More info

Date: 27-28 February 2014
Place: Gyeongju, Republic of Korea
Organisers: World Water Council and partners

This meeting will serve to create the Forum's Working Groups, which will jointly develop the content of the Forum throughout its preparatory process. During the two-day meeting, the key concepts of the Thematic, Regional, Political and Science and Technology Processes will be presented and discussed, as well as other components such as the Citizens' Forum and the progress that has been made on the Forum Communications and organization. The consultation is the second big stepping stone towards the World Water Forum and will provide active ways to participate in the Forum. UN-Water will have a presence at the meeting.
>> More info