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Conference
UN 2023 Water Conference
COMMENTS4
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Water is a fundamental part of all aspects of life. Water is inextricably linked to the three pillars of sustainable development, and it integrates social, cultural, economic and political values. It is crosscutting and supports the achievement of many SDGs through close linkages with climate, energy, cities, the environment, food security, poverty, gender equality and health, amongst others. With climate change profoundly affecting our economies, societies and environment, water is indeed the biggest deal breaker to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The ongoing water and sanitation crisis is a threat to everyone as poor water management increases or multiplies the risks in all aspects of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed our shared vulnerabilities and reminded us of our common destiny. Populations are growing, agriculture and industry are getting more water-intensive, and climate change is worsening. Without a functioning, resilient water cycle for all people everywhere, human health and environmental integrity will always be threatened and a sustainable, equitable future will remain out of reach.
However, water does not only present us with challenges. It also presents us with a great opportunity. If we understand the complex relations and interlinkages, value water holistically, and manage water inclusively at all levels and across all interests, then water can be the dealmaker, the leverage point for a green economy, climate resilience and a more sustainable and inclusive world. Water – because of its many interlinkages – can bring together all stakeholders (individual, institutional, informal) to forge coalitions, strengthen capacities and provide solutions to be replicated and scaled.
In this context, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed in its resolution 71/222 the period from 2018 to 2028 as the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development” aiming to further improve cooperation, partnership, capacity development and catalyze actions in response to the ambitious United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
To successfully implement the goals and objectives of the Water Action Decade, including SDG 6 and other internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, in 2018 the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 73/226 on the midterm comprehensive review of the implementation of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028, in which it decided to convene, in New York, from 22 to 24 March 2023, the United Nations Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028, or the “UN 2023 Water Conference”. In December 2020 the General Assembly adopted resolution 75/212 detailing the modalities for this Conference.
Conference information
Date and venue: 22-24 March 2023, New York, UN Headquarters
Theme: Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028
Key objective: Support to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Format: 6 plenary meetings and 5 interactive dialogues
Presidents of the Conference: Governments of Tajikistan and the Netherlands
Secretary-General of the Conference: Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations
Preparatory meeting: a one-day preparatory meeting, by November 2022, New York, UN Headquarters, stakeholders are welcome as observers
Website: https://sdgs.un.org/2023-un-conference-water-action-decade
Activities
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