Aragon: Forum for Global Debates on Water Water is such a scarce resource, and of such high value, that it merits profound re?ection on its future management. With this in mind, the idea emerged of org- ising a unique international summit in Aragon - because of the issue involved and because it would be the ?rst to which top-level experts from a variety of sectors and disciplines would be invited to debate the future of water management. Accordingly, in November 2006, the newly established International Centre of Water and the Environment (CIAMA-La Alfranca) of the Government of Aragon brought together leading national and international experts on water issues, as well as on population, development, economics, agriculture, energy, health, and techn- ogy, for a workshop entitled "Water Management Beyond 2020." Various probable scenarios for the management of water in the medium and long term were debated. Those who also took part in organising the event included the Mexico-based Third World Centre for Water Management, headed by its President Prof. Asit K. Biswas, who is also a Senior Advisor to CIAMA, and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation of the United States, with its President Mr. Keiji Iwatake. I wish to thank them, as well as Dr. Cecilia Tortajada, Scienti?c Director of the CIAMA and President of the Int- national Water Resources Association, for their dedication and e?ort in conceiving the event and ensuring its success.
