UN water conference completed: now time for action | News item

News item | 24-03-2023 | 6:00 PM

The UN water conference, which the Netherlands and Tajikistan facilitated, will conclude today in New York. The parties present made at least 669 commitments to address water-related issues. All these commitments together form the Water Action Agenda.

Minister Harbers (Infrastructure and Water Management): “Problems with water exist all over the world, but certainly also in our country. Think of the four extremely dry summers in the past five years, with the fifth summer causing flooding in Limburg. Water is literally vital. That is why I think it is good that the conference will be concluded with an action agenda: the time for fine words is over, now the parties themselves have to get to work!”

Minister Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation): “These actions are necessary in the Netherlands, but certainly also internationally. It is very good that the theme of water has resonated with so many countries. Governments, interest groups and companies have managed to find each other well this week. It is now a matter of persevering and keeping each other sharp, so that all initiatives actually lead to better water use.”

Both ministers look back with satisfaction on the conference, which was attended by 193 countries. For the first time in almost fifty years, the UN has discussed the water-related problems that every country encounters: too much water, too little water or water that is too dirty. More than 1200 organizations attended more than 400 activities in and around the UN building. In total, at least 669 commitments were made by all parties present (that figure is still rising).

King Willem-Alexander opened the conference on behalf of the Netherlands and was present at various activities, such as a New York flood prevention project and a discussion with students about how they view water-related problems.

Dutch commitments

Minister Schreinemacher has earmarked EUR 50 million for the next five years, through the new initiative ‘Water at the heart of climate action‘ Support Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda to better deal with the consequences of water-related disasters and to make the most vulnerable populations more resilient. Schreinemacher is also allocating 5 million US dollars to ensure that the water and climate problems are better tackled together.

Minister Harbers has launched, among other things, a new partnership in the field of water and climate, where countries can ask for advice on how they can best prepare for the changing climate. In addition, the approachWater ash Leverage‘ scaled up: this Dutch initiative looks at a certain area together with local parties and tries to find one good solution that solves various problems in that area.

The commitments of all participating parties can be found on the UN website, under ‘Water Action Agenda.

Everyone has to get started

The UN conference has come to an end with the publication of the Water Action Agenda. It is now time to act. 150 UN countries have therefore called on several occasions to appoint a UN Water Envoy.

The Water Action Agenda also includes a roadmap to ensure that water is included in future UN meetings. Starting with the SDG meeting in September this year. The commitments are also discussed at other conferences, such as the COP28 in November.

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