Honourable Minister,
Madam President of the General Assembly,
Mr. President of ECOSOC,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Dear colleagues and friends,
It is a great honour to join you for World Water Day 2026.
Water is fundamental to life, human dignity and sustainable development. Yet, across the world, progress on SDG6 remains far off track. Billions of people still lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation services, while climate change, population growth and water stress are placing increasing pressure on already fragile water systems.
These challenges remind us that water is not only a development issue, but also a climate issue, a health issue and a matter of global stability and cooperation.
This year¡¯s celebration places a crucial focus on water and gender equality.
Across many regions, women and girls are disproportionately affected by inadequate water and sanitation services. They often bear the burden of water collection and household water management, but remain sidelined in water governance and underrepresented in decision-making processes.
Advancing gender equality in water management is, therefore, not only a matter of justice and human rights. It is also essential for effective and sustainable water solutions. Inclusive governance, equitable participation and gender-responsive policies strengthen resilience and improve outcomes for communities everywhere.
Excellencies,
Today¡¯s event also marks the launch of the United Nations World Water Development Report 2026: Water for All People ¨C Equal Rights and Opportunities.
I thank UNESCO and UN-Water, together with all contributors, for their leadership in preparing this report and strengthening the knowledge base for global water action. This report provides valuable evidence and policy guidance for governments and partners working to advance equitable access to water and sanitation.
This year also comes at an important moment for the global water agenda.
Preparations are underway for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, to be co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal. The Conference will provide a critical opportunity to accelerate implementation of SDG 6, by honouring the commitments made at the 2023 UN Water Conference.
The Conference also offers a unique platform to forge stronger partnerships among governments, the United Nations system, international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and local communities.
As we mark World Water Day, we are also reminded of the growing pressures on freshwater systems linked to climate change, including the rapid loss of glaciers that regulate water availability for hundreds of millions of people.
Excellencies,
Water lies at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Let us use this moment to renew our collective commitment: to center equality in our water action, to empower women and girls as leaders and decision-makers, and to strengthen international cooperation to secure water for people and planet.
Thank you.