UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the opening of the 2023 UN Water Conference on Wednesday, drew attention to the fact that “the future of water is in jeopardy”, even though it constitutes a human right.
“We are draining humanity of its vital substance through our vampiric overconsumption and unsustainable use of water, and we are causing it to evaporate by warming the planet. We have broken the water cycle, destroyed ecosystems and contaminated groundwater,” he warned, according to the UN news site.
Guterres pointed out that nearly three out of four natural disasters are water-related and that a quarter of the planet lives without safely managed water services or safe drinking water.
For him, the leaders attending the conference should find revolutionary solutions to the global water crisis. “This conference must mark a decisive step, a step change, to bring Member States and the international community to a clear understanding that water is of vital importance for the viability of our world and that it is a tool for promoting peace and international cooperation,” he said.
From the outset, the UN SG made some recommendations to fill the gaps in water management. He proposed that public authorities develop and implement plans to ensure equitable access to water for all, while preserving this precious resource, and that they must work together, across borders, to jointly manage water.
He also underlined, among others, the need to invest massively in water and sanitation systems; in pipelines, water distribution infrastructure and treatment plants that are resilient to disasters; as well as new ways to recycle and conserve water.
A report on water resources development published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water and presented at the Conference taking place in New York from 22 to 24 March, reveals that, worldwide, 2 billion people (26% of the population) are deprived of access to drinking water and 3.6 billion people (46%) do not have access to a safely managed sanitation system.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1101 of 23/03/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
