Dear colleagues,

On behalf of the Organising Committee of the International Conference on Water Resource Systems Management under Extreme Conditions it is an honour to address the international community of water professionals.
With its vast water resources and developing system of environmental regulations Russia urgently needs effective and up-to-date solutions for its hydro-economic problems. The programme of the Conference will cover the issues that can help conserve and rehabilitate water resources, and improve the system of water resources management. I hope that the results of the researches that will be presented by the water professionals as well as the results of the discussions within the framework of the Conference sessions will allow us to elaborate the specific proposals for development of water resources systems management. I also hope that these proposals can be widely applied in our everyday work in the near future. We regard this Conference as an important step for Russia to join the international water community and as an opportunity for Russia to hold other important events in future. Russiaфs initiative to organise this Conference is supported by the worldфs leading associations and unions of water management such as the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the World Water Council (WWC), the International Network of Basin Organisation (INBO), and the Netherlands Water Partnership.
I also hope that this event will contribute to the restoration and consolidation of scientific and business relations, and cooperation between Russian-speaking water community that always was on the leading position in development of water science and water management in the world
I herewith invite you to participate in the conference as a professional who is interested in the development of water resources system management. I will appreciate our teamwork in June 2008 in Moscow.

Yours sincerely,
Rustem Khamitov,
Head of the Federal Agency for Water Resources
Organizing Committee Chairman

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Dear Sir/Madam,


Climate Change has been dominating the news over the past years and water professionals will have to face ever more extreme natural conditions in the future. However, extreme conditions of natural origin are not the only challenges we face. The water sector is also challenged by extreme conditions of man made origin. We will have to work together to find innovative solutions to issues like pollution, operating failures, ageing infrastructure, etc.
Extreme conditions of natural origin can lead to deadly catastrophes in a very abrupt and unexpected manner. Catastrophes of manmade origin however can be just as deadly, but are easier to predict. We will have to improve infrastructure, land use developments and management practices to prevent these catastrophes, to stop pollution and make sure drinking water will be available in the future. The "Water Resource Systems Management under Extreme Conditions Conference" aims to address these issues, enhancing collaboration between various actors as well as promoting exchange of knowledge in this important field. The current state of water resource management under extreme conditions as well as future trends will be discussed and I am honored to invite you to this conference, which takes place on 4 and 5 June 2008 in Moscow.
In 2009 the fifth World Water Forum will take place in Istanbul. The European Water Partnership is coordinating the European Process for this Forum and we will work to make sure the outcomes of this Conference are integrated into this Process.


I am looking forward to meeting you in Moscow.


Yours sincerely,
Tom Vereijken
Chairman, European Water Partnership
Co-Chair of the Organising Committee