PARIS, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- Kuwaits Ambassador to Sweden Sami Mohammed Al-Sulemain has affirmed the importance of the Kuwaiti participation in the World Water Week, which was held in the Swedish capital last week.

This came in a meeting the Ambassador held with a delegation from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity and Water participating in this annual event, headed by assistant undersecretary for the operation and maintenance of water Hamed Al-Khaldi and which includes Khalida Al-Fadhala, Muneer Al-Raamadan, Mustafa Abdulsamad Sadeq and Mufrej Al-Hajri.

A statement for the Kuwaiti Embassy in Stockholm, received by KUNA Paris Wednesday, said that during the meeting, the Ambassador stressed the importance of the Kuwaiti participation due to the "major valuable importance of this precious product for Kuwait, which is water."

He added that the conference was an opportunity to learn more about means to guide the consumption of water and its best use, in addition to methods of providing more water as well as preserving it.

According to the statement, the one-week event is a leading annual global meeting place for capacity-building, partnership-building and follow-up on the implementation of international processes and programs in water and development. It indicated that the theme of this years event was "Progress and Prospects on Water: For a Clean and Healthy World with Special Focus on Sanitation," which aims building capabilities and entering international partnerships, in addition to following-up the implementation of international measures and programs related to water and its link with development.

As for the 2008 Stockholm Water Prize, it was awarded to Professor John Anthony Allan from Kings College London, who is the innovator of the groundbreaking "virtual water" concept.

The prize, which is considered the worlds most prestigious prize for outstanding achievement in water-related activities, was awarded to the Professor by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

The annual prize, which was first presented in 1991, includes a USD 150,000 award and a crystal sculpture.

It honors individuals, institutions or organizations whose work contributes broadly to the conservation and protection of water resources and to improved health of the planets inhabitants and ecosystems. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is the Patron of the Stockholm Water Prize.

The 2008 World Water Week in Stockholm examined progress and prospects in the efforts to build a clean and healthy world. Special attention was devoted this year to the sanitation challenge and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal target on sanitation.

This years event covered a large variety of topics focusing on water and development policy, planning and management.

It placed also major focus to sanitation, health and hygiene. This years event involved over 90 different plenary sessions, workshops, seminars, side events, panels, social events and other prize award seminars.