The World Water Forum opened on Monday in the Turkish city of Istanbul, as participants arrived by boat up the Bosphorus.

Prince Albert of Monaco poses for a family photo during the 5th World Water Forum.

The week-long meeting has drawn thousands of activists, scientists, entrepreneurs, mayors and parliamentarians for talks on sanitation and climate change.

The forum is held every 3 years to promote ideas about managing the vital resource.

(CCTV March 18, 2009)