Water availability has emerged as the most important element for peace, Habitat II secretary-general Wally N'Dow told conference delegates. Addressing a panel on the growing water needs of cities, N'Dow said lack of water is one of the "most critical factors' that caused conflicts. Urging the Habitat players to act on the recommendations of the panel, N'Dow stressed cost effectiveness, better technology and new management systems as the three preeminent elements of a new strategy.

More than one billion people worldwide