A look back at the UN Water Conference

The World Water Council participated to the United Nations Water Conference from March 22 to 24, 2023 in New York

• Edito by Loïc Fauchon : "Present in New York"

In New York,the lanterns are now off.
The water festival has come to an end with nearly 6,500 delegates from over 185 countries.
As in all major international conferences, and especially at the UN, some will see the glass as half full as priority was given to water. Others will see the half-empty glass due to the absence of a specific commitment and concrete decision. Both are probably right.
The World Water Council was very present during these days through its participation in more than 15 events, during which we were able to put forward its positions, arguments, and proposals on the major issues of the moment.
In particular, the role of local authorities, the importance of Basins, the place of water for Nature, disaster management, and others.
With our Indonesian colleagues, we have highlighted the 10th World Water Forum in May 2024 in Bali every day and every hour.
And finally, we pointed out again and again that “water is politics”, underlining that only the will and commitment of political actors will make it possible to shed light on the daily lives of several billion people.
The New York meeting was already useful for this.

• A look back at the events around “Bali 2024: on the way to the 10th World Water Forum”

The opportunity to relaunch our invitation to the water community and political decision-makers to meet again in Bali in May 2024 and discuss together the resolutions taken in New York and the concrete solutions made available by our members.

WWF Bali

• Look back at the UN Conference events

6TH UN SPECIAL THEMATIC SESSION ON WATER AND DISASTERS For several years the HELP panel has been working together on recommendations for better governance of water resources. Today water for food is missing. With the members of the World Water Council, we are continuing our efforts to make our recommendations heard by the international community. Download the full speech of the President of the WWC, Loic Fauchon
EVENT ORGANISED WITH UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS (UCLG) With our partner United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the World Water Council recalled that it was important to stop isolating water, i.e. to better integrate it on an equal basis in the thinking processes around health, energy, education and food. Also to better understand that today we must dedicate water for Human but also water for Nature. Download the full speech of the President of the WWC Loic Fauchon
"NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS" BY THE NATURE CONSERVANCY At the Nature Hub, with our partner The Nature Conservancy and the support of our members, the World Water Council has confirmed its support for Nature-based solutions which we consider to be one of the important responses for water security. Download the full speech of the President of the WWC Loic Fauchon
"IWRM AT BASIN LEVELS" BY THE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF BASIN ORGANIZATIONS During the "IWRM at Basin Levels" event organized by International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO), the World Water Council and its members stressed the need for good management of water resources and through the establishment of a political dialogue at different levels. Download the full speech of the President of the WWC, Loic Fauchon
HIGH LEVEL EVENT “CENTRAL ASIA” During the event “Central Asia: commitments for water action agenda”, the World Water Council recalled the importance of dialogue between the water community. Water resources play a major role for sustainable development and peace establishment in Central Asia, but also in the world. Download the full speech of the President of the WWC Loic Fauchon
"WATER FOR RURAL PROSPERITY" BY IWHR The participation of the World Water Council in the event “Water for rural prosperity” organized by our partner China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), consolidated our common conviction: water is a political priority.
“WATER-ECONOMY-ECOLOGY NEXUS” BY INTERNATIONAL WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION The World Water Council participated in the event organized by its partner International Water Resources Association (IWRA), which recalled the various stages and meetings to come for the water community, from New York to Beijing, from Beijing to Bali.
WASTEWATER SURVEILLANCE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH MONITORING : USING THE ONE HEALTH APPROACH TO MEET THE SDGS During the event, the World Water Council congratulated its partner: SUEN and the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN) for their work and efforts on the study of wastewater as a key element in preventing epidemics. The World Water Council has reconfirmed its support for the health program linked to water monitoring.

• Bilateral meetings

WITH THE GEORGIAN MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The bilateral meeting with the Georgian Minister for Regional Development and Infrastructure, Mr. Irakli Karseladze, was an opportunity to discuss the Georgian Ministry's membership in the World Water Council.

Kura Georgia River

WITH THE CHINESE MINISTER OF
WATER RESOURCES

The bilateral meeting with the Chinese Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Li Guoyin, was an opportunity to strengthen our cooperation and set up a work program for the 10th World Water Forum in May 2024 in Indonesia. One of our major common objectives being secure access to water for all.

WWF Bali

The World Water Council thanks its members and partners for their invitations, their involvement, and their initiatives.

We hope to see you again in Bali in 2024 for the 10th World Water Forum.

Together let's say and repeat "Water is Politics"

• Find more information on the 10th World Water Forum on the website.

UN Water Conference