The World Water Forum is an event focusing on perceived issues surrounding water. It is organized by the World Water Council and Global Water Partnership and takes place every three years. Aim World Water Forum aims to: Raise awareness with decision makers and the public at large on water issues and, subsequently, to generate action; Contribute to improving access to water supply and sanitation and report on progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals; Provide opportunities to progressively develop shared visions on challenging water issues, to develop new partnerships and to pave the way for cooperation and action among a wide diversity of organisations and individuals; Encourage greater media attention for water issues and solutions Locations Components The forum is made up of four primary components: The thematic programme which provides the substantive discussions in the form of sessions and panels. The political process which provides the opportunity for discussion with elected officials (local authorities, parliamentarians, ministers) and resulting in various statements and commitments. The regional process which provides perspectives on water from all regions of the world. The fair and expo which provides a space for all stakeholders to showcase their contributions. Each of these components benefits from extensive preparatory processes that commence two years prior to the World Water Forum. Past editions have included other features, such as side events, a learning centre, a children’s forum, a youth forum, a children’s education village, water and film encounters and cultural entertainment. History 1st World Water Forum: Morocco The first World Water Forum, following the creation of the World Water Council, took place in Marrakech, Morocco, on 21–23 March 1997. It laid the basis for the development of a long-term "Vision for Water, Life and the Environment in the 21st Century." Sessions included: Perspectives on world water On the road toward a long-term vision for world water The challenges of the 21st century Celebration of World Water Day 2nd World Water Forum: Netherlands The 2nd World Water Forum in The Hague from 17 to 22 March 2000 generated much debate on the World Water Vision and the associated Framework for Action, dealing with the state and ownership of water resources, their development potential, management and financing models, and their impact on poverty, social, cultural and economic development and the environment. The ministerial declaration identified the following key challenges: meeting basic water needs, securing food supply, protecting ecosystems, sharing water resources,