BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The World Water Congress and Exhibition will be held in Beijing from Sept. 10 to 14, focusing on worldwide water issues, a Ministry of Construction senior official announced Tuesday.
The congress will increase worldwide awareness of water shortages and other water issues, said Vice Minister of Construction Qiu Baoxing.
Nearly 3,000 water experts and scholars and government officials from various countries are expected to attend. Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan will be honorary president and deliver a keynote speech to the congress.
"All the preparatory work is now well underway," he said.
He said the congress will create a valuable platform "to bring in advanced ideas, technologies and experiences in the water sector worldwide and help expand exchanges and cooperation."
The official said the congress is also designed to help solve the contradictions between the shortage of water resources and ever-increasing water demand in China. Developed countries are encouraged to offer their expertise, advanced technologies and funds to developing countries that need help.
However, a report by conservation organization WWF has warned that water crisis is a global problem and even rich countries face increasing water shortages.
A combination of climate change and poor resource management is leading to water shortages in even the most developed countries, it says.
The WWF says economic wealth does not automatically mean plenty of water.
Europe is becoming drier as a result of climate change and further north Alpine glaciers -- a significant source of water -- are shrinking.
The situations in developing countries are even worse, according to experts.
Broiling temperatures and a severe drought have left millions of people short of water and strained power supplies in many parts of China this summer, leading to at least three deaths and a blackout in one city, news reports said.
The World Water Congress has been held four times. The coming congress will be the first in an Asian city. Enditem
