Terms of Reference

The ACECC Tokyo Declaration 2019:

1) Identifies climate change and water resources as important initiatives needed to address the challenges facing Asia

2) Declares ACECC’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Climate Change. Climate change is an established reality and Asian countries have suffered tremendously from climate change impacts during the recent past. Unpredictability in weather patterns across the globe is occurring due to a variety of human and natural interventions. The impacts on the infrastructure, habitat and resources in the different Asian regions are enormous. Droughts, famines, loss of habitable human settlements and many similar impacts are common evidence of this.

• Water Resources. Access to safe and affordable water at all times is a critical element in maintaining or improving the quality of people’s lives and protecting human health. Ensuring that water resources are properly managed in a sustainable manner that considers environmental and ecological conservation is fundamental to this outcome. Furthermore, problems relating to water resource utilization in rivers that flow through or border multiple countries, including flood control, contamination and water use need to be solved not only by countries in the watersheds but also with the assistance of engineers around the world through mutual cooperation. Issues of waste water management and recycling also need to be included.

• Sustainable Development. ACECC is committed to the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a broad cross-sectoral perspective and a wide range of experts. This Technical Committee will focus on:

Goal 6. Clean Water and Sanitation. Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.

Goal 13. Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Goal 14. Oceans. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.