Food Security Achievable Despite
Water Scarcity and Climate Change
Joint Efforts by Asian Countries
Admired by Zahid Hamid, Federal Minister for Climate Change
Some 1.2 billion people—almost one fifth of the world—live in areas of
water scarcity, while another 1.6 billion face what is called economic water
shortage. The situation is only expected to worsen as population growth,
climate change, and inefficient use of existing water resources are reducing
the available water per head day by day. It is estimated that by 2025, 1.8
billion people will live in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity,
with almost half of the world living in conditions of water stress.
The current trend of water use
in Asian countries is not sustainable in the face of fast increasing
populations, and the challenges posed by climate change. Thus, ensuring food
security for fast growing populations of Asian countries with shrinking water
resources is a daunting task. The
challenge is to produce more in a more sustainable way. The was the topic of an
International Conference on “Challenges in Water Security to Meet the Growing Food
Requirement” organized in Islamabad by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, in
collaboration with Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA). Leading
experts of Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia,
Korea and Nepal were the resource persons at this important scientific forum.
In addition to technical presentations and discussions by the experts, three
Penal Discussions of the Workshop were led by senior scientists like Dr. Amir
Muhammed, Engr. Shamsul Mulk, and Dr. Mubarik Ali. 
While chairing the Concluding
Session of this important Conference at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Mr.
Zahid Hamid, Federal Minister for Climate Change, stated that, despite the
constraints of water scarcity and
climate change, Food Security for the fast increasing populations of Asian
countries is achievable. He said this can be accomplished on sustainable basis
by employing well thought of science-based solutions and strategies. He
congratulated the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and AASSA for jointly organizing
this international Conference on a topic of immense importance of all countries
of Asia. This Conference was organized
by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with The President of Pakistan
Academy of Sciences, Dr. Anwar Nasim, and Vice President of AASSA, Professor Namik
Asar, who is senior scientist of Turkey, also spoke on the occasion.
