Abstract

The presentation will demonstrate the key role water plays for sustainable development in all its dimensions – from a economic, social and environmental perspective. The contents will be based on the UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) 2016 “Water and Jobs” and the WWDR 2017 “Wastewater: The Untapped Resource”. It will show how investments in water and sanitation can be lead to the creation of jobs and sustainable development.  Furthermore, the critical role of wastewater management as an integral part of the integrated water resources management will be discussed. Wastewater represents an alternative yet reliable source of water and bi-products (nutrients, energy, metals), therefore, it is a key component in necessary move towards a circular economy.

C.V.

Since November 2015, Professor Stefan Uhlenbrook is the Coordinator of the UN World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP, UNESCO programme) and the Director of the Programme Office on Global Water Assessment in Perugia, Italy. Before that he worked at UNESCO-IHE as Professor of Hydrology (since 2005), Deputy Director (Vice-Rector) for Academic and Student Affairs (2000-2014) and Director a.i. (acting Rector; 2014-2015). He did his PhD (1999) and habilitation (2003) at the University of Freiburg, Germany. He is also a professor for experimental hydrology at Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands (since 2009).

Professor Uhlenbrook’ s main expertise includes water assessments, hydrological process research, river basin modelling and water resources management. Many of his research and development projects have demonstrated the impact of global changes on water cycle dynamics in different hydro-climate regions in Africa and Asia. He is keen on translating science-based water knowledge to effective policies and strategies that contribute to environmental, economic and societal sustainability. Therefore, Stefan is involved in supporting Member States in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 6 on Water and Sanitation.

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