World leaders to make bold commitments to address water crisis

New York, March 22 (IANS) With mounting pressures on water from rising consumption demands, increased pollution and climate change, world leaders, civil society, businesses, youth and other stakeholders are gathering at the UN 2023 Water Conference from March 22-24 at the UN Headquarters here to make bold commitments to address the global water crisis.

"This is more than a conference on water. It is a conference on today's world seen from the perspective of its most important resource," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his opening remarks.

"This conference must represent a quantum leap in the capacity of member states and the international community to recognise and act upon the vital importance of water to our world's sustainability and as a tool to foster peace and international co-operation."

Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need for health and well-being, and a declared human right.

But some two billion people around the world still lack access to safe drinking water. More people have access to mobile phones than toilets and sanitation, with 80 per cent of wastewater discharged untreated into the environment.

More than 90 per cent of disasters are water-related, with climate change adding to the pressure. And humanity's demand for water keeps growing, with pressure on freshwater projected to increase by more than 40 per cent by 2050.

Despite these challenges, a breakthrough to a water-secure planet is still possible. But urgent action is needed now. With this at the top of their minds, world leaders, together with over 6,000 registered civil society, business leaders, young people, and experts are attending the three-day UN 2023 Water Conference to present innovative solutions and bold commitments to accelerate transformational change for water.

Coming from all sectors, the conference is an opportunity to unite the global community around a common goal and trigger real action.

"During this conference, we want to get the water wheel spinning," stated Willem-Alexander, the King of the Netherlands, in his opening statement.

"We won't rest until water is given the place it rightly deserves on global agendas and policy programmes. We will bring all our commitments, pledges and actions together in a Water Action Agenda."

The key outcome of the UN 2023 Water Conference will be the Water Action Agenda, a collection of commitments from Member States and other stakeholders that aims to present game-changing solutions to accelerate progress on SDG 6.

To date, more than 500 commitments have been registered from governments, UN agencies, business leaders and civil society, ranging from targeting open data sources and improving education around water, to scaling effective water management practices and mobilising funds to drive action towards water.

While many commitments are already available online here, key announcements will be made throughout the three days of the conference.