What is the Istanbul Water Consensus?

[Important Note: UCLG World Council meeting on the 5th World Water Forum took place on November 27 at Hilton Convention Center, İstanbul. As the title “Urban” is not really defining the consensus and excluding the non – urban inhabitance areas under the administration of the local authorities, the recommended title was revised to “Istanbul Water Consensus".]

The Istanbul Water Consensus invites mayors and local government leaders to make a united commitment for urban water resource management in the face of global changes. The first part of the Consensus is a declaration and the second part is a specific commitment designed to be tailored to the circumstances of the individual city or local authority.

Over half of the world’s people now live in cities. They count on the leadership of their local authorities. With the Consensus, Istanbul’s Mayor Kadir Topbaş gives mayors a unique opportunity to demonstrate the high priority of water on the political agenda of the world’s cities.