This year’s Green Week (22 – 25 May) will focus on water, setting the international scene for 2013 proclaimed the International Year of Water Cooperation by the United Nations.

The EIB has been the largest worldwide source of loan finance to the water sector to date, supporting projects dealing with water resources management and supply, waste water as well as coastal erosion and flood protection in almost 90 countries.

Under the slogan “Every drop counts – The water challenge”, the 2012 Green Week offers a platform for discussions between public and private sector players, academia and media representatives on the efficient use of water resources and environmental protection.

With its experience in the water sector, the EIB will actively participate, with its Bank’s experts taking part in the following sessions:

• Water-related policy developments on adaptation to climate change, 23 May - 09.30 - 11.00,
  http://www.greenweek-2012.eu/sessions/42-water-related-policy-developments-adaptation-climate-changein-partnership-dg-clima
  EIB speaker: Monica Scatasta, Deputy Economic Advisor, Water and Waste Management Division, Projects Directorate

• Tackling water scarcity in Africa, 23 May – 14.30 – 16.00,
  http://www.greenweek-2012.eu/sessions/34-tackling-water-scarcity-africain-partnership-friends-europe
  EIB speaker: Monica Scatasta, Deputy Economic Advisor, Water and Waste Management Division, Projects Directorate

• Water resources for sustainable development: an overview of the international dimension of EC research results from Johannesburg to Rio+20, 24 May - 11.30 - 13.00,
  http://www.greenweek-2012.eu/sessions/water-resources-sustainable-development-overview-international-dimension-ec-research-result
  EIB speaker: Hugh Goldsmith, Head of Water & Waste Management Division, Projects Directorate

The EIB is going to participate also at a satellite event of the Green Week:

• EU Water Sector Financing and Innovation, Satellite event - 15 May - 16.15-18.00,
  http://www.waterinnovationeurope.eu/ibis/WIE/my-event
  EIB speaker: Hugh Goldsmith, Head of Water & Waste Management Division, Projects Directorate