Torkil Jonch Clausen offered a possible process to move the FFA forward after The Hague. He mentioned that the inputs provided in The Hague would be immediately taken on board in a supplement to the FFA document. The debate would then be brought back as quickly as possible to the regions via a series of consultations. Inclusiveness and cross sectoral interactions will be at the heart of the design of these consultations. Jon lane welcomed the process and advised GWP to strengthen its participatory skills. He recommended that the NGOs and trade unions should be included as two separate entities in the follow-up process.

The session greatly benefited from the presence of Minister Clare Short from UK and Minister A. Ratwatte from Sri Lanka. Both stepped out from the Ministerial Conference to address the participants of the FFA session on what was the flavour of the discussions among ministers. Minister Short reported on the ministerial workshop on "basic needs", where good progress had been achieved. She reported on discussions about the issue of water as a human right, establishment of water targets, accountability and the role of privatisation. Her feedback confirmed to the participants of the FFA session that the FFA report and the directions discussed during the day were fully consistent with the spirit of the ministerial conference. Minister Ratwatte echoed her comments emphasising the need to start working towards the same goal in a co-ordinated manner. He particularly stressed the importance of irrigated agriculture in South Asia.

A representative from Spain announced a forthcoming international conference on river basin organisations. A number of organisations and individuals came spontaneously forward and pledged renewed and new efforts to make the vision become a reality. Among other pledges, Minister Short indicated that UK would increase its focus on the water sector over the next 3 years, Wateraid and a consortium of NGOs mentioned their willingness to work within the FFA, GEF had announced a doubling of its efforts on water, the Dutch government pledged its support to a major initiative in the area of water for food, several speakers from the gender groups announced a rapid move towards actions on the ground via a broad alliance of organisations concerned with gender mainstreaming…

Ismael Serageldin ended the meeting with a "water toast" launching the way forward and ensuring that GWP would continue providing an open platform for debate among all stakeholders. Duplication of efforts and fragmentation are not anymore affordable; mechanisms for moving collectively and reinforcing each others strengths are the order of the day.

All sessions of the day:

• Presenting the Framework for Action
• Tackling Urgent Water Priorities
• Generating Water Wisdom
• Making Water Governance Effective
• Investing for a Secure Water Future
• Launching the Framework for Action