Opening Day of the 3rd World Water Forum at the Kyoto International Conference Hall. Most participants wishing to participate in the Opening Ceremony had to line up from 8 am in the morning. With speeches by Mr. Ryutaro Hashimoto, Chairman of the National Steering Committee of the 3rd World Water Forum, Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, President of the World Water Council, HIH the Crown Prince of Japan, HRH Prince Moulay Rashid of Morocco, HRH Prince Willem Alexander of The Netherlands, and a video message from HE Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic. The opening ceremony also receives HE Tommy Esang Remengesau Jr., President of the Republic of Palau.

Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, President of the World Water Council, and Dr. Jerson Kelman, President of National Water Agency receive the King Hassan II Great World Water Prize.

Crowds pass through the registration tent to obtain Forum badges, documents, and the conference bag.

The Water Supply, Sanitation, Hygiene and Water Pollution theme opens with greetings by Mr. Yoshitsugu Kunimatsu, Governor of the Shiga Prefecture. Panelists include Ms. Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF, and Ms. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.

The Water Action Unit of the World Water Council launches "World Water Actions", one of the major outcomes of the Forum. The Water and Climate theme opens with interdenominational ceremony, in the presence of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess of Japan and HRH the Crown Prince of The Netherlands.

Stakeholder Center, the meeting place for the Forum participants, opens.

An international youth NGO appeals for antiprivatisation of water by performing a skit outside of Kyoto International Conference Hall.

The Welcome Party warmly greets the Forum participants. Food stalls serve typical Kansai Region treats in a "Japanese Festival" atmosphere.