Climate, Environment, and Conservation: Secretary Clinton to Sign Memorandum of Understanding with the World Bank on World Water Day

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Bank on World Water Day at World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, March 22 at 2 p.m. The MOU will strengthen support to developing countries seeking a water secure future. Secretary Clinton and World Bank President Robert Zoellick will deliver brief remarks.

Before the MOU signing ceremony, non-government organizations (NGO) will highlight new commitments by NGOs and the private sector to address water and sanitation challenges in developing countries. Speakers will include NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, USAID Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero, Hilton Foundation CEO Steven Hilton, and a representative from The Coca-Cola Company. HRH Willem-Alexander, the Prince of Orange, will join via live video conference from World Water Day events in South Africa. Senior government officials, NGOs, and private sector representatives will be available for pull-aside interviews after the signing.

A live video conference with UN-HABITAT will occur from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Formal remarks by Secretary Clinton and President Zoellick, followed by a signing ceremony, will occur at 2 p.m. The entire event will be live-streamed at: http://wbwater.worldbank.org/water/

Preset time for broadcast media and still photographers: 11:00 a.m. at the 700 block of 18^th Street, NW entrance (the Visitor’s Entrance is on 18^th Street, just below H Street)

Final access time for journalists: 1:00 p.m. at the 700 block of 18^th Street, NW entrance

Registration is required to attend this event. Please RSVP by 2 p.m. on Monday, March 21.

Journalists should RSVP with Alexis O’Brien (AObrien@worldbank.org). Broadcast media and still photographers should RSVP with Mehreen Sheikh (MSheikh1@worldbank.org). For further information, please contact the World Bank’s press office at: (202) 473-7660

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) A Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver's license, passport). Press should allow adequate time to process through security.