CEO Water Mandate Focuses on Public Policy and Human Rights
(
New York, 24 March, 2009
) - The UN Global Compact's CEO Water Mandate initiative – in
partnership with the Pacific Institute and WWF – convened its third working conference in Istanbul
on 16 - 18 March, an event which brought companies together with civil society organizations, UN
agencies, public authorities, specialized water groups, and other stakeholders.
The event, which took place at the Fifth World Water Forum, focused on the topic of "Engaging
in Public Policy to Advance Sustainable Water Management by Business". The sessions featured
multistakeholder panels and dialogues, which addressed issues such as water governance, stakeholder
expectations, and a human rights-based approach to water stewardship.
"This event explored the ways in which companies can engage, responsibly and with
accountability, in activities related to public policy around water governance", said Gavin Power,
Deputy Director of the UN Global Compact. "There is currently a general lack of understanding and
shared agreement regarding the role companies can and should play in influencing water
related-public policy. We hope this conference, and its related outcomes, will make a significant
contribution in this regard".
The event also featured the public release of "Water Disclosure 2.0", a major study and
resource presenting an analysis of current and emerging water disclosure practices, and the release
of an independent review of the CEO Water Mandate, undertaken by Arthur D. Little.
A full report of the conference will published and posted on the CEO Water Mandate webpage in
the coming weeks.
Contact
Gavin Power
Deputy Director
UN Global Compact
powerg@un.org
