Water security is central to the complex and cross-sectoral nature of human and economic development. Whereas agriculture currently uses 70% of the world’s water; how will water contribute to ensuring food security when 70% more food is predicted to be needed by 2050? Given that energy needs water and water supply and
sanitation needs energy, what role will water and energy play to ensure that populations can meet their future needs? For industry based economies or economies wishing to industrialise, industrial water accounts for up to 40% of total withdrawals in some high-income countries; how can these populations maintain water security? Closely linked to all these sectors is the important issue of water for human well-being and the human right
to water and sanitation.