Bangkok--Mar 22--UNISBKK
World Water Day and World Meteorological Day
to be observed 22 March 2004
at UN Conference Centre, Bangkok
Theme : Water and Disasters
Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- "Water and Disasters: Be Informed and Be Prepared" will be the theme topic for discussions to observe both the World Water Day (22 March) and the World Meteorological Day (23 March) at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok on Monday, 22 March 2004.
Experts from UN agencies, inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and youth groups will provide perspectives on water and disasters.
This year, the World Meteorological Day, which falls on 23 March 2004 will also be observed under the theme "Weather, Climate and Water in the Information Age".
The programme of the Day will include the launch of "the Flood Guidelines" by Mr. John A. Harding, Programme Officer, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). A Panel discussion on "Water and Disasters" will be organized. Panelists include Mr. Ti Le-Huu, EconomicAffairs Officer, UNESCAP; Mr. Bun Veasna, Programme Officer, Flood Management and Mitigation Programme, Mekong River Commission; Mr. Zhijun Chen, Water Resources Development and Conservation Officer, FAO; Mr. Huub van Wees, Economic Affairs Officer, UNESCAP; and Mr. Steve Wheeler, Technical Director, Thames Water International (Thailand) Ltd.
The afternoon session will be focused on "Youth and Water". A youth group led by Dr. Saowalak Ratanawich, District Governor 3350, Rotary International will discuss on the topic of mobilizing involvement of the youth on Water Conservation: Means to Reduce Water Related Disasters and Providing Safe Water for Disadvantaged Rural Communities in Thailand.
The goal for World Water Day 2004 is to remind everybody that concrete efforts to provide clean drinking water and increase awareness worldwide of the problems and of the solutions, can help make a difference.
For more details, please visit: http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/water/index.html.
You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the World Water Day observance on Monday, 22 March 2004 from 8.45 am ? noon, Conference Room 3, United Nation Conference Center (UNCC), Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. David Lazarus, Chief, United Nations Information Services, UNESCAP,
United Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
Tel: (+66) 02 288 1864-9; Fax: (66+2) 2881052, E-mail: [email protected] End.
-NM-