The annual World Water Week has opened in Stockholm with special focus on Sanitation. The main theme of the week long conference 17-23 August is Progress and Prospects on Water: for a clean and healthy world with special focus on sanitation.

      About 2500 experts, government officials and business representatives are gathering in Stockholm to chart the path to a clean and healthy world. Over 200 organizations are involved as coconvenors of the event together with the organizer and host Stockholm International Water Institute.

      Anders Berntell, Executive Director of the Stockholm International Water Institute which is also the organizer of the conference said in addition to the diverse aspects of sanitation, issues concerning Water and Climate Change, Water Resources Management, Environment and Ecosystems and Transboundary Water will be prominent discussion points throughout the week.

      According to UN statistics, there are 2.6 billion people who lack of access to decent sanitation and safe drinking water.

      The purpose of the water week is to take preventive actions, share experiences in building sustainable cities, using waste as a resource, providing sanitation under different climate conditions and building networks and capacities among people.

      During the week, four prizes will be issued. They are Stockholm Water Prize, Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Stockholm Industry Water Prize and the Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award.