TEHRAN -- Vice-President and Head of the Department of Environment (DOE) Masoumeh Ebtekar speaking at an international gathering on fresh water in the Tajik capital city of Dushanbe on Saturday called for signing of an international protocol to protect fresh water resources and the rights of civilians in benefiting from drinking water during war time and armed clashes.

The global gathering on fresh water, has focused on water, environment and security, IRNA reported.

According to the Public Relations Department of DOE, Ebtekar in a key-note speech delivered in the opening session of the conference said that the developing countries looking forwards to a firmer measure and adequate supports in dealing with harmful policies threatening security of water and its resources.

Widening of gap between the rich and the poor and reduction of fresh water resources proves the need for an upheaval for a global determination to protect fresh water resources, he pointed out. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the consumption of drinking water has increased two folds compared with the rate of population growth, she said.

One third of the world population reside in the areas suffering from shortage of water and the current world water consumption is ten percent more than the existing natural resources, she said.

Improving irrigational systems, increase in productivity, proper management of resources, acquiring technological know-how as well as allocation of adequate credits are among practical actions in protecting fresh water around the globe, she pointed out.

Some 534 non-governmental organizations (NGO`s) are now active in the Islamic Republic of Iran in environmental related affairs. The three-day international gathering on fresh water, hosting 40 world countries, will be concluded on September 1.