The United Nations just wrapped up their first high-level conference on freshwater since 1977, the UN 2023 Water Conference. The conference was held at the UN in NYC on March 22 - March 24th, and included multiple break out events hosted by participating non-profits, corporations, and collaborative organizations.
Daily reports of the activities are available from Earth Negotiations Bulletin, a branch of the International Institute for Sustainable Development that reports on UN environment and development negotiations. Reports can be found here. The focus on the conference was to highlight the dire need for action on water as the world faces multiple threats from climate change and decades of mismanagement of freshwater systems at all levels of government. The conference’s drive was to register commitments from member states and stakeholders to improve freshwater availability, sustainability, and sanitation for the entire globe. 708 commitments were received, including 112 involving stakeholders in the US.
These commitments are referred to as the Water Action Agenda and include commitments from businesses, local governments, and non-profits. The overarching goal is to improve water management and resiliency and to invest in water and sanitation systems. The program was launched with an Open Call for Water Action by the UN to act on clean water and water conservation. One responding organization included a Business Leaders’ Open Call to Accelerate Water Action launched by 50 large corporations operating in over 130 countries and employing over 2 million people. In the beverage industry, this includes AB InBev, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Heineken, and Starbucks. The Action will reportedly positively impact 100 water-stressed basin. You can read the call here.
Want an overview of the Water Conference’s history and mission? Read The Udall Center’s briefing here.
For additional information, read the UN’s “Five Things You Should Know About the UN 2023 Water Conference” here.
Read about the freshwater crisis in the US here.
Watch a UN panel on water for climate resiliency here.
Watch the UN interactive dialogue on water and sustainable development here.
Read about and explore the work of the CEO Water Mandate, an organization working to generate similar commitments to water sustainability here.
