Proposition on an IAP Water Programme

Meeting of the Academies of Science of Latin America and the Caribbean Region
Mexico City, Mexico
August 15-16, 2003

The undersigned, members of Executive Boards of Science Academies of Latin America and the Caribbean Region, propose to the IAP that a WATER PROGRAMME be initiated in order to examine water issues affecting humankind in accordance with the United Nations Millenium Statement 2000, which established as a goal the eradication of extreme poverty suffered by one out of six human beings, and that this can be established by the year 2015 if access to safe water supplies and sufficient food can be guaranteed for all.

Global population in 1830 was one billion. In 1930 the population doubled, while water use tripled. Currently, the population is six billion. This has serious implications for the production and recovery of critically needed potable water.

We recognize that underground water accounts for 95% of the total freshwater resources economically available for use. Global water supplies may be exhausted by the year 2050 unless remedial action is taken immediately. However, these figures have not taken into account water quality issues, which can reduce substantially the available volumes of water.

The members of Executive Boards of Science Academies of Latin America and the Caribbean Region further emphasize their commitment to promote scientific and technological solutions towards the above goals.

Jorge Crisci
General-Secretary
National Academy of Exact, Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Argentina

Antonio Saavedra-Muñoz
President
National Academy of Sciences
Bolivia

Eduardo Moacyr Krieger
President
Brazilian Academy of Sciences
Co-chair of the IAP Executive Committee

Hernan Chaimovich
Director
Brazilian Academy of Sciences


Paulo de Góes Filho
Secretary of International Affairs
Brazilian Academy of Sciences

Harold Ramkissoon
President
Caribbean Scientific Union


Winston Mellowes
President
Caribbean Academy of Sciences

Moisés Wasserman
President
Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences
Colombia

Ismael Clark
President
Cuban Academy of Sciences

Sergio Jorge Pastrana
Secretary of International Affairs
Cuban Academy of Sciences

Maria del Carmen Samayoa
President
Academy of Physical and Natural Sciences
Guatemala

José Antonio de la Peña
President
Mexican Academy of Sciences


Alberto Giesecke Matto
President
National Academy of Sciences of Peru

Claudio Bifano
Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Venezuela

Hugo Aréchiga
President
Latin American Academy of Sciences

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