Half world may live under 'water stress' by 2030

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has warned that by 2030, half the people on Earth would be living under "water stress," a measure defined as less than 1,700 cubic metres of water available per person per year, unless action was taken.

Addressing the Budapest Water Summit with Hungarian President Janos Ader, Ban Tuesday noted that while water was a government priority, no government could handle the work alone, Xinhua reported.

We "need the full engagement of all actors, communities, societies," he said.

Ban announced a conference devoted exclusively to climate change would be held next September during the UN General Assembly and called for representation from countries at the highest level.