The United Nations held its first pure world water conference in almost 50 years, which Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke praised for its global action agenda for water adopted in New York. Member states and other actors made hundreds of ambitious self-commitments, representing a milestone and the foundation for a turnaround in global water policy. Lemke further emphasized Germany’s five far-reaching commitments from the conference, calling for urgent action to protect global water supplies and ensure their long-term supply. Water is essential to overcoming global crises, including the climate crisis, species extinction and pollution crisis, according to Lemke.
The appointment of a UN special envoy for water was also called for, gaining support from 150 states, which Lemke applauded for elevating water as a resource to have a voice and stronger lobby in the UN. By the end of the conference, the Agenda for Action on Water had already recorded some 700 commitments, with more expected to come. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called to address drinking water shortages and warned of a global water crisis, highlighting that two billion people, one in four, do not have access to clean water.
The conference represents a step in the right direction towards protecting water supplies and ensuring their long-term availability, according to Lemke. However, further action must be taken to achieve global water security, requiring cooperation and commitment from all actors.
