Washington DC, 23 March 2023 (TDI): The United States (US) Department of State has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the global water crisis on the occasion of World Water Day, which marks the beginning of the United Nations (UN) Water Conference 2023.
The Department of State emphasized the significance of the US Global Water Strategy and Water Action Agenda in actively combatting the global water crisis and promoting sustainable water resource management worldwide.
Today is #WorldWaterDay and the beginning of the #UNWaterConference. Through the U.S. Global Water Strategy and Water Action Agenda, the U.S. is actively combating the global water crisis. https://t.co/U8DnSz0Z5w pic.twitter.com/LG90B4ywYo
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 22, 2023
In recognition of World Water Day and the UN Water Conference, the US Department has highlighted the importance of access to safe and sustainable water resources, which is essential for human health, food security, and economic growth.
The US Global Water Strategy and Water Action Agenda reflect the dedication of the US to improving water resource management and increasing access to safe and sustainable water resources.
To mention, the UN designates March 22 as World Water Day, with the aim of measuring the world’s progress toward providing everyone with clean, accessible, and affordable water.
According to UN-Water, 2.3 billion people, or one in four of the world’s population, live in water-stressed countries. Water stress refers to the proportion of freshwater usage compared with renewable freshwater sources.
When water withdrawals surpass available resources, a country is either depleting its aquifers faster than they can be replenished or has significantly high levels of desalination water production.
US Global Water Strategy 2022-2027
Earlier, the US government unveiled its Global Water Strategy for 2022-2027, highlighting the urgent need to address the global water crisis to protect national security and prosperity.
For the information, the strategy outlines a comprehensive plan to strengthen governance, increase access to safe water and sanitation services, improve conservation and management of freshwater resources, and anticipate and reduce conflict related to water.
The US is committed to working towards its vision of a water-secure world, as outlined in the White House Action Plan on Global Water Security launched by Vice President Harris in June 2022.
The plan aims to build health, prosperity, stability, and resilience through sustainable and equitable water resource management and access to safe drinking water, sanitation services, and hygiene practices.
Under the 2022-2027 Global Water Strategy, the US government will focus on four strategic objectives, including
- Strengthening sector governance, financing, institutions, and markets
- Increasing equitable access to safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient water and sanitation services
- Improving climate-resilient conservation and management of freshwater resources and associated ecosystems
- Anticipating and reducing conflict and fragility related to water.
Therefore, the US government will use all available tools and resources to implement this strategy, including foreign assistance and diplomatic engagement, technical assistance, and investments in climate-resilient and sustainable services and infrastructure.
Also, the US will strengthen partnerships, local actors, and intergovernmental organizations and mobilize financial resources from host country governments, international financial institutions, donor partners, the private sector, and capital markets.
Also Read: UN calls for action on World Water Day 2023
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