UN report: world water crisis could lead to resource wars 

The world's water reserves are drying up fast and between two and seven billion people out of a projected total of 9.3 billion could be affected by water scarcity by 2050. Over the next 20 years, the average supply of water worldwide per person is expected to drop by a third. The struggle for water might lead to wars, especially in the Middle East. Belgium tops the world worst water quality ranking in the report, preceding countries like India, Sudan or Rwanda. Finland has the best water quality in the world. In Central and Eastern Europe, where the water quality was quite bad under communism, the situation has improved.

The 600-page World Water Development Report was published one week before the start of an international summit of political delegations in Kyoto, Japan. It points to the responsibility of political leaders in mismanagement of essential water resources.

The Third World Water Forum in Kyoto will be held from 16-23 March 2003.