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2023 UN WATER CONFERENCE:
A WATERSHED MOMENT
FOR THE WORLD
The United Nations, with support from the Governments of
Tajikistan and the Netherlands, will host the UN 2023 Water
Conference in New York from 22 to 24 March 2023. The Conference
is formally known as the 2023 Conference for the Midterm
Comprehensive Review of Implementation of the UN Decade for
Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028).
The International Decade for Action declared on 21 December
2016 by the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly
adopted resolution 71/222, was launched by the UN on the
initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The water agenda has been considered crucially important in
Tajikistan. Tajikistan has huge water resources that are accumulated
in numerous glaciers, rivers, lakes and underground water
systems. About 60 percent of Central Asia’s water resources
take their sources within the country. The possession of such
gifts of nature imposes certain obligations and responsibilities
on the country.
Tajikistan became a pioneer and active initiator of solutions to
water issues at the international level over the past two decades.
The UN General Assembly, at the initiative of Tajikistan, adopted
by consensus eight resolutions on water issues, which testifies
to the importance and timeliness of this agenda. The initiatives
of the leadership of the Republic of Tajikistan in the water area,
supported by the UN, have moved from the level of study to
practical implementation by the international community.
Today, we can confidently claim that Tajikistan’s initiatives on
water issues have remarkably contributed to strengthening and
promoting specific actions for achieving Sustainable Development
Goals, including those related to water resources.
These initiatives together are aimed at creating a new strategy
for humanity and ensuring decent life for the inhabitants of the
planet.
Looking at our Blue Planet, one might say we have abundant
water; however, of 97 percent of the water covering Planet Earth,
only 3 percent is freshwater. Of that, only a small amount can be
used as drinking water; the rest is locked up in glaciers, ice caps,
and permafrost, or buried deep in the ground.
Water is a fundamental part of all aspects of life. 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.
However, water does not only present us with challenges. It also
presents us with tremendous opportunities to society for gaining
social, economic and environmental benefits and its contribution
to satisfying our water demand is considerable. The importance
of treasuring this scarce resource cannot be overestimated.
Tajikistan and the Netherlands as co-chairs are committed to
diligently working with all the countries in making the UN 2023
Water Conference a watershed moment. The two countries are
committed to ensuring the event is inclusive, action-oriented,
and cross-sectoral. During this first UN conference on the water
since 1977, participants will consider the integrated management
of water resources for achieving social, economic, and environmental
objectives, the implementation and promotion of related
programs and projects, and the furtherance of cooperation and
partnerships at all levels.
Every drop in the ocean counts. Your participation counts. Only
together we can make the Second UN Water Conference inclusive
and action-oriented.
Article provided by the Embassy of Tajikistan in Brussels.
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