Theme 4 - Resources: Security and sustainability

The 21st century is witnessing the rise of an unprecedented resources revolution. Dramatic increases in the world’s population are generating enormous demands on the essentials of water and agricultural resources. Worldwide stress on these resources looms large and is particularly the case in emergent Asia.

Food and water security, and their long-term sustainability are a key challenge facing the region and the world in the 21st century. WA has well-established credentials to confront this challenge, underpinned by its substantial commercial and scientific capacity in the development and management of agriculture and water resources. It is well placed to make a significant contribution in regional responses to these impending resources challenges both as a significant agricultural producer, and as a source of considerable resources expertise in the areas of agricultural science and water management.

Questions

• What are the major dimensions and challenges emerging around food security and water management issues in the Asian region?

• Do these resource security challenges require a regional response, and if so how could this be undertaken?

• In what ways could the governmental, business and scientific capacities of WA be harnessed for a regional response to resource security and sustainability?

• In what ways could WA take a leadership role in addressing the resources challenges in the region?