HQ Team
March 20, 2023: About 800,000 people die yearly from diseases directly linked to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene practices, and water-related hazards have increased at an alarming rate, the WHO stated.
“Demands for this precious resource continue to rise. About four billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month of the year,” according to a WHO statement released ahead of the UN Water Conference starting March 22, 2023.
According to the latest State of the Climate Services on Water report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), water-related hazards have increased alarmingly.
Since 2000, floods have increased by 134%, with the duration of droughts rising by 29%.
From increasing floods, unpredictable rainfall, and droughts, the impacts of climate change on the water can be seen and felt at an accelerating rate.
Decades of mismanagement
“These impacts threaten sustainable development, biodiversity, and people’s access to water and sanitation,” according to the statement.
Decades of mismanagement and misuse have intensified water stress, threatening the many aspects of life that depend on this crucial resource.
“We are currently facing a global water crisis. Billions of people around the world still lack access to water. Water and climate are inextricably linked.
Sustainable water management can help build resilience, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and protect societies and ecosystems. “Sustainable, affordable, and scalable water solutions must become a priority.”
The UN 2023 Water Conference will be crucial to deciding on concerted action to “take action and address the broad challenges surrounding water,” said Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Conference will bring heads of state and government, ministers, and stakeholders across all different sectors together to achieve internationally agreed goals, including Sustainable Development Goal 6 of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for a fairer future, ensuring access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all.
One of the primary outcomes of the Conference will be the Water Action Agenda, which will capture all water-related voluntary commitments and follow their progress. The agenda encourages Member States, stakeholders, and the private sector to commit to urgent actions to address today’s water challenges.
The Conference will feature five “interactive dialogues” to strengthen and accelerate action for key water areas. Access to safe drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation is at the top.
The other four agendas will be water for sustainable development, climate, resilience and environment, and cooperation between nations and Water Action Decade.
