Messages from the 3rd World Water Forum

Kazuko Misawa

NASDA/RESTEC

1. The 3rd World Water Forum

2. Exhibition

3. NASA/NASDA session

4. Review of the Discussion

5. Results

NASDA’s Participation in the 3rd WWF

Dates ： March 16 (Sun) – March 23 (Sun), 2003

Place: Kyoto, Osaka and Shiga, Japan The World Water Forum The World Water Council (WWC): was established in 1996

-at the initiative of water specialists, the academic community and

international organizations.

- proposed to hold the World Water Forum every three years

in an effort to solve international water issues.

- This year marked the third forum.

1. The 3rd World Water Forum

• With Crown Prince Naruhito in attendance, 23,995 Participants gathered at this international water meeting.

Forum ： 331 sessions on 31 interrelated themes in three venue Ministerial Conference ： March 22,23 in Kyoto where the Ministerial Declaration was adopted. Water EXPO and exhibitions: Panels, Demonstrations and Water Festivals for general

public.

1. The 3rd World Water Forum (Continued)

NASDA exhibited panels during the forum:

　 ① Kyoto Venue (at Kyoto Kokusai-kaikan, Event Hall)

　 Theme: ”Observing Global Water Cycle from Space”

　 Co-exhibition with River and Water (IFNet)

② Osaka Venue (at the Water EXPO in INTEX Osaka)

Theme ： ” The Earth’s Water, Now and the Future – Initiatives by NASDA”

Exhibition for the general public, free of charge

Many other sessions such as water and climate, floods, and science and technology Panel were also held during this period.

A total of 98,417 people visited the exhibition, many of whom also stopped by NASDA’s booth.

2. NASDA’s Exhibition

　3. NASA/NASDA Session

• NASDA held a session entitled “Observing Global Precipitation From Space” with NASA

- under the Theme of “Water and Information” - on March 19, 2003, 　 9:00-11:30am - at Grand Cube Osaka

in order to demonstrate the important role of satellites in observing global water circulation.

• NASDA and NASA introduced the implementation plan of the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) and sharing of its observation data under international cooperation.

NASA/NASDA Session at the 3rd Water Forum “Observing Global Precipitation From Space”

on March 19, 2003, 　 9:00-11:30am at Grand Cube Osaka

<Program> Opening: Prof. Akimasa Sumi, Tokyo University (NASDA) Keynote Presentation: Dr. Yoji Furuhama, NASDA -Joint Research and Observation of Global Water Cycle Global Precipitation Mission （ Dr. Arthur Hou, NASA) European Global Precipitation Mission (Dr. Einer Arne Herland, ESA) Global Rain Observation and Climate Change Research (Dr.Rick

Lawford, WCRP ） International Flood Network (Dr. Akira Sasaki, IFNet) Global Rain Observation in Asia (Prof. Deren Li, NRSCC) Demonstration on Data Utilization (Dr. Shinichi Sobue, CEOS Working group on Information and

Services /NASDA/IFnet ） Discussion

4. Review of the Discussion

In session ‘Observing Global Rain from Space’ , we have: Reviewed the needs for joint research and observation of the

global water cycle, and space agency follow-up; WSSD Plan of Implementation Symposium held in Awaji to focus on Water Cycle issues

Heard the plans of the space agencies for provision of EO satellite data in support of these issues;

NASDA, NASA and ESA plans for GPM accurate and frequent data on global rain

Considered the challenges and needs of global and national programmes;

IGOS Water Cycle Initiative/WCRP, IFnet, Asian users Seen a demonstration of how EO satellite data can be of practical

value. CEOS WGISS demonstration

5. Results from participation

NASDA decided: ① to promote the study of the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) ② to join the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership - in order to promote research on changes in global water circulation and water management. - NASDA continues to support IFNet’s “Global Flood Alert System “ project.

NASDA/NASA session attracted some 150 visitors The session contributed to promoting a better understanding of the importance of satellite-based Earth observation by the international community.