UN 2023 Water Conference Media Briefing: Accelerating Water Action for a Sustainable Future
Media Accreditation Online Registration: 9 January to 10 March 2023
The United Nations General Assembly, with support from the Governments of the Netherlands and Tajikistan, will convene the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York from 22 to 24 March 2023.
Billions of people worldwide still live without safely managed drinking water and sanitation, even though access to both services has long been defined as a human right. Many water sources are becoming more polluted, and ecosystems that provide water are disappearing. Climate change is disrupting the water cycle, causing droughts and floods. Water is everyone’s business, and the Conference is inclusive and cross-sectoral.
The Conference – 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) – is the most important water event in a generation. It aims to raise awareness of the global water crisis and decide on concerted action to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
With many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) off track, progress in implementation of Goal 6 (water and sanitation) is key to the achievement of other SDGs, particularly on health, food, gender equity, education, livelihoods, industry, climate and the environment.
The Conference will launch the Water Action Agenda as a main outcome, which represents the voluntary commitments at all levels, including by governments, institutions, and local communities. The Agenda will help mobilize action by governments, sectors and stakeholders to meet the global water-related goals and targets.
PRESS BRIEFING
WHO:
- Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and the Secretary-General of the UN 2023 Water Conference
- Henk Ovink, Special Envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for Water
- Sulton Rahimzoda, Special Envoy of the President of Tajikistan for Water
WHEN:
- Friday, 13 January 2023, 12:20 pm EST
WHERE:
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Registration for media accreditation is now open. Please note the following deadline:
Registration online: 9 January to 10 March 2023:
For more information, please visit the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit’s website or contact them at malu@un.org or +1 212 963 6934.
KEY LINKS FOR THE UN 2023 WATER CONFERENCE
Website for the Conference: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2023
Water Action page: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/un-2023-water-conference-engagement-5-water-actions-you-can-take/
World Water Day campaign page: https://www.worldwaterday.org/
Press Kit: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2023/media
MEDIA CONTACTS (interviews are available upon request)
UN Department of Global Communications | Francyne Harrigan | harriganf@un.org
UN Department of Global Communications | Masayoshi Suga | sugam@un.org
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