The United Nations (UN) 2023 Water Conference kicked off Wednesday in New York with the participation of Morocco, represented by the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, who is leading an important delegation.
Co-organized by Tajikistan and the Netherlands with the support of the United Nations (UN), this international conference is dedicated to the mid-term review of the implementation of the goals of the Water Action Decade 2018-2028, which was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in December 2016.
During this conference, which is being held for the first time in more than five decades, Morocco aims to reiterate its constant commitment and advocate the international community for a better consideration of water issues in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Morocco also plans to strengthen its ties with its partners, and exchange its accumulated expertise in the field of water, within the framework of solidary and active cooperation.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Equipment and Water, the Kingdom’s efforts in the field of water and the ongoing projects will be highlighted during a side event under the theme “Sustainability in good governance of groundwater resources,” which aims to unite the efforts of international leaders on the sustainable governance of water resources at the highest level.
According to the organizers, the United Nations (UN) Water Conference, which is attended by Heads of State and Government, ministers, and stakeholders, will draw attention to the accelerating pace of increasing floods, unpredictable rainfall and droughts, as well as the impacts of climate change on water threatening sustainable development, biodiversity and access to water and sanitation.
Speaking at the opening of this conference, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, stated that this conference is “a conference on today’s world seen from the perspective of its most important resource,” stressing that “water is humanity’s lifeblood and the prosperity that sustains nations.”
“This conference must represent a quantum leap in the capacity of Member States and the international community to recognize and act upon the vital importance of water to our world’s sustainability and as a tool to foster peace and international cooperation,” added Guterres.
Guterres also emphasized that “governments must develop and implement plans that ensure equitable water access for all people while conserving this precious resource.”
In this regard, the conference chairs warned against the magnitude of the water issue, impacted by climate change, while calling for large-scale international cooperation to save this vital source and strengthen the impetus of sustainable development.
The opening ceremony was marked by the presence of Morocco’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Omar Hilale.
The 2023 United Nations (UN) Water Conference’s schedule includes plenary meetings, a general debate, high-level interactive dialogues on the water in relation to health, development, climate, resilience, environment, and international cooperation, as well as a number of side events and exhibitions.