Istanbul World Water Forum's Ministerial Statement (2009): A positive shift of global water policy recommendations towards sustainability

The scopes of the Fifth World Water Forum's Ministerial Statement (Istanbul, 2009) are being analysed in the context of globally accepted water management principles. Particular reflection is done to two previous declarations related on global water policy, i.e. Chapter 18 of the Agenda 21 (1992) and Fourth World Water Forum's Ministerial Declaration (Mexico, 2006). Nine water management principles were identified that were not addressed in the Mexico Ministerial Declaration (2006), but that were incorporated in Istanbul Ministerial Statement (2009) in line with Chapter 18 of the Agenda 21. Although, the Mexico Declaration recommended a dramatic structural shift in global water policy favouring non-holistic and fragmented approach of water management, the findings of this research clearly indicate that Istanbul Ministerial Statement undertook a positive reversal as it returns to promote holistic approach of water management, much in the spirit of the Rio's Agenda 21. This positive shift is welcomed so as to promote effective and sustainable management of world's water resources.