Management of water involved three significant components:

• First, far greater co-ordination among institutions. Too many people, ranging from local to provincial, national and international authorities are trying to manage water. Each one lacks adequate accountability. There is urgent need for coordinated action.

• Second, there are regulatory uncertainties. Absence of contemporary water laws for multiple uses, enforcement agencies, and dispute resolution mechanism lead to mismanagement.

• Third, there are political ambiguities. It is necessary to reconcile the egalitarianism with sustainability. How to price water in a fair manner has multiple responses. For example, how much should we charge the farmers or what kind of differential water tariffs should be applied to the poor in urban conglomerates compared to, say, the conspicuous consumption of swimming pools in five-star hotels?

The second big issue that received attention was food security. The year gone by saw a dramatic increase in the price of corn and wheat. This was both on account of rising demand and switching land use for bio-fuels with government incentives for renewable energy. Corn and wheat prices have doubled if not tripled. This has serious consequences for many developing countries. Keeping food prices affordable as well as managing climate change is a challenge.

Davos always highlights emerging concerns and offers some globally accepted responses. It needs a combination of political will and overall awareness to respond to these themes. However issues of energy, water, and food security will need sustained action. They will remain our abiding concerns.