New York, 25 March 2023 (TDI): The United Nations (UN) Water Conference is currently underway in New York with US Special Envoy for Water, Monica Medina highlighting the urgent need to address global water issues.
This week’s @UN Water Conference is urgent and long overdue, says U.S. Special Envoy for Water Monica Medina. Safe water supplies are increasingly scarce and it’s time we think about the future of water. Read her latest blog for more: https://t.co/UWFzKdz6v2
— U.S. Department of State | Science Diplomacy USA (@SciDiplomacyUSA) March 24, 2023
To mention, this conference, the first of its kind in nearly 50 years, has brought together global leaders and experts to discuss the expanding and pressing challenges related to water resources.
US Envoy Medina emphasized the critical importance of water access, noting that billions of people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.
This, coupled with increasingly unpredictable water supplies, poses enormous risks to human health and well-being.
Furthermore, Medina highlighted the devastating impacts of floods and droughts linked to the climate crisis, which are affecting communities around the world.
In response to these challenges, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced US commitments of more than $49 billion to ensure climate-resilient water and sanitation remain a priority at home and around the world.
Ultimately, these commitments build upon President Biden’s commitment to eliminate lead pipes and deliver clean drinking water to all Americans, as well as the White House Action Plan on Global Water Security.
Also, US Envoy called for the international community to prioritize water issues, acknowledging that water is the connector of all sustainable development goals and the vector by which the effects of climate change are felt and seen.
Likewise, she also joined the call for the UN to appoint a Special Envoy for Water this year, to champion water issues across sectors and platforms. Medina’s remarks underscored the critical need for global action to address water-related challenges.
She highlighted the progress made at the UN Water Conference and expressed hope that another such conference would not need to wait for another 50 years.
Also Read: US Undersecretary calls for urgent action to tackle the climate crisis
Thus, the US remains committed to ensuring that progress continues, and water access and sustainability remain a top priority both domestically and internationally.
The recent commitments made by the US coupled with the impassioned plea for action from Medina and other experts emphasize the critical significance of placing water access and sustainability at the forefront of global priorities in order to secure a brighter future for all.
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