In experts' opinion, fresh water scarcity and increase in its consumption can lead to the situation, when water becomes one of the most critical problems in our planet in XXI century. By this time (according to United Nations Organization information) fresh water deficit (including agricultural and industrial needs) has been estimated at 230 billion m3 per year; by 2025 fresh water deficit will increase up to 1,3 -2,0 trillion m3 per year. The fact that the General Meeting announced the year 2003 to be «Year of Fresh Water» and this issue has been included as one of the principle problems in the regular «G8» summit conference proves that fresh water is a product of global importance.
     Joint-Stock Company «METR»(Moscow) with the support of the Ministry of Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation, Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Gosstroy of Russia, JSC RPE «Mashprom» (Yekaterinburg) is to hold an International Scientific and Practical Seminar «Water World - 2003» on May 12-14, 2003 in Obninsk to estimate if Russian developers and equipment manufacturers are capable to participate in solution of world-wide water deficit problem and in a coordinated action program development.
     The leading specialists of Russia and NIS-countries, International Organizations (UNESCO, International Desalination Association (IDA), European Desalination Society (EDS), IAEA) and other foreign companies are planned to participate in Seminar.
     The forthcoming Seminar is to provide the forum for the exchange of views by the participants from different countries on issues related to design and construction of water desalination and purification equipment and facilities, for the discussion of their application variants as well as for the implementation of the developed plants to global and Russian markets.
     We invite you and your colleagues to take part in the Seminar.

Regards,
Vice-president JSC «METR» D. Zelenski