As humanity’s most precious global common good, water unites us all. That’s why water needs to be at the centre of the global political agenda.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
The world is at a tipping point and is facing an unprecedented water crisis. By 2025, it is projected that 50% of the global population will live in water-stressed areas, with low-income families bearing the greatest burden of this crisis (source: water.org). In response, the United Nations convened the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action: “Water for Sustainable Development” (UN Water Conference) at its headquarters in New York from March 22 to 24, 2023. This landmark event, held after 46 years, emphasized the need for collective action and cooperation among multiple stakeholders, including local communities, indigenous people, civil society organizations, and governments at both local and national levels. The theme of the UN Water Conference was “ Our Watershed moment: uniting the world for water.
In the conference, more than 700 voluntary commitments have been summarized in the Water Action Agenda, which is key to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) by 2030. Most of the action agendas are prepared by civil society, which again highlights the critical role of civil society and non-governmental organizations in addressing this global challenge.
Key Messages from the Conference
1. Appointment of a UN Special Envoy for Water: The water crisis must be a political priority on all global agendas. The appointment of a UN Special Envoy for Water was strongly advocated to mobilize decisive action, improve coordination among various agencies, and maintain water as a key issue on the political agenda.
2. Transboundary Water Cooperation: Leaders emphasized the importance of establishing Transboundary Water Cooperation to address the global water crisis. This initiative would foster collaboration between regional and international agencies. It aims to ensure sustainable development, enhance climate resilience, and reduce disaster risks. Such cooperation is crucial for managing shared water resources and promoting peace and economic stability across borders.
3. Investment and Financing in the Water Sector: Scaling up investments in the water sector was a recurring theme in the conference. Delegates stressed the need to restructure investments toward innovative mechanisms, with international financial institutions playing a pivotal role in mobilizing resources, particularly for developing countries. Suggestions included creating financing mechanisms to encourage private investment and enabling developed countries to provide financial and technical assistance.
4. Innovative Solutions: The conference highlighted the importance of adopting innovative methods, such as desalination, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, green and grey infrastructure, and coastal protection management, to address water challenges. Capacity building, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing were highlighted as critical enablers of innovation.
5. Importance of Data and Information: Robust data systems were deemed essential for planning and decision-making. Proposals included creating regional data hubs, enhancing water monitoring networks, and developing water roadmaps to support drought management. Delegates also called for global platforms to monitor water scarcity and observation networks to predict water-related threats. Sharing hydrological data was emphasized to improve information exchange and avoid catastrophes.
6. Water, Climate, and Food Nexus: Discussions highlighted the interconnectivity of water, climate change, and food production, emphasizing the water-food-energy nexus. Delegates called for prioritizing water in climate, food system, energy, and industrial policy discussions to achieve synergy and advance SDG 6. Breaking down policy silos and integrating water and climate policies were also recommended during the conference.
7. Community Participation and Partnerships: The conference stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders, including the public and private sectors, civil society, and local communities. Sustained behavioral change, education on responsible water use, and awareness-raising were identified as crucial measures to address growing water resource pressures. The integration of art, design, and culture was proposed to inspire positive change in water management.
8. Circular Water Economy:Adopting a circular water economy approach was encouraged by the participants as the water cycle is an interconnected system. This holistic approach promotes sustainability and minimizes resource wastage.
9. Shift to Green and Blue Economies: Delegates emphasized the importance of shifting toward green and blue economies, focusing on conserving natural resources such as wetlands, rivers, and lakes and adopting nature-based solutions. These approaches contribute to sustainable development, environmental protection, and improved livelihoods.
10. Uneven Distribution: The water crisis affects some groups of people more than others, including indigenous people, women, children, and people with disabilities. These groups often don’t have a say in decision-making, and this needs to change. Some delegates stated that the water crisis can lead to serious problems like discrimination, violence, and even sexual assault. It’s essential to look at water issues from a perspective that considers the different needs and experiences of men and women.
11. Follow-Up Mechanisms: To maintain the momentum of the conference, participants suggested establishing a permanent intergovernmental water mechanism or a dedicated UN agency for water issues. Regular high-level UN meetings and enhanced coordination among UN agencies and donors were proposed. Upcoming events, such as the World Water Forum and the UN Water Conference in 2028, were identified as opportunities to advance the agenda.
The UN Water Conference 2023 marked a significant step in addressing the global water crisis. By fostering international cooperation, advocating for innovative solutions, and emphasizing the interconnectedness of water with climate and food systems, the conference set a comprehensive agenda for achieving SDG 6. The emphasis on community participation, the active role of civil society, sustainable economies, and follow-up mechanisms highlights a collective commitment to safeguarding water resources for future generations.
Read the complete report here –
https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n23/315/00/pdf/n2331500.pdf
(This article is contributed by Soumyashree Mohanty, Research Associate at CYDA)
