Lack of water security is one of the main reasons behind poverty and malnutrition, Kuwaiti MP Saleh Ashour said Wednesday.
Some 2.2 million people in poor countries die each year due to water contamination and poor sanitation facilities "more than who die in wars," Ashour told KUNA after participating in the committee session for trade, finance and sustainable development on the sideline of 131st General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), currently being held here.
Contaminated water channeled to oceans destroy a major part of sea life, while scarcity of underground water means deteriorating agriculture and ruined crops; all casting shadow over global food security, the Kuwaiti lawmaker pointed out.
Shortage in fresh water supplies is affecting some 1.1 billion people, with estimates for this figure to rise to 5.5 billion by 2025, which represents two-thirds of world population, he added, calling t the same time for proper legislations to address such alarming issues. The five-day meeting will focus, among other issues, peace and international security, sustainable development, finance and trade, democracy and human rights.
The Kuwait delegation includes MPs Faisal Al-Shaya, Saleh Ashour, Saif Al-Azmi and Abdullah Al-Turaiji.