Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
  Starting today, Wednesday, the United Nations Water Conference will be held in New York from March 22 to 24, and a European statement issued in Brussels said in this regard, "The European Union will confirm its strong participation in achieving global water security by announcing 33 commitments to action, starting now. These commitments will reinforce the EU's vision that, by 2050, the world must be resilient to increased water stress, providing water security for all.
The world is currently facing a water crisis driven by excessive demand, mismanagement and the triple crisis effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. 40% of the world's population lives in areas affected by water stress. Water resilience is key to preventing and addressing current and future health, food and energy crises.
The 2023 United Nations Water Conference is the first of its kind in nearly 50 years, and aims to galvanize global action for water resilience and security. The EU delegation, headed by Commission Vice-President Dubravka Zwicka, will present the EU's Voluntary Commitments to the Water Action Plan - a platform to accelerate global progress on the water-related Sustainable Development Goals. The EU's priorities for the conference include:
Ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right;
Protect and restore aquatic ecosystems for sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation;
promoting a more integrated approach to managing water resources across sectors;
Enhancing water use in industry, energy and agriculture by increasing water use efficiency and reuse;
Promote cooperation in the field of transboundary waters, as a catalyst for peace and security; And
Mobilizing public and private funding, research, innovation and knowledge sharing.
European Union commitments
The European Union brings together a range of commitments in the water agenda. They rely on a number of EU policy measures and laws, leading water technologies, as well as extensive support from partner countries on water and sanitation. EU contributions include:
supporting improved access to water and sanitation for 70 million people worldwide;
Securing safe drinking water in the European Union and promoting the availability of tap water in public places;
Contribute to the reduction of water use in the European Union by setting water saving standards for products, and developing non-traditional supplies, such as the reuse of treated water for agricultural irrigation or desalination;
tackling the pollution of our rivers and oceans, by reducing pesticides, nutrients, antimicrobials and plastic litter in the sea by 50%, as well as reducing microplastics by 30%;
Increased research, innovation, citizen participation and blue investments: the EU as a whole and EU Member States have committed more than €1.4 billion from 2021-2024 and additional commitments are expected through 2027;
increasing river recovery in the EU;
Increase community resilience to floods, droughts and sea level rise, through improved risk management, preparedness and response;
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in water management, among others by reducing the energy needs of urban wastewater treatment plants;
Improving Transboundary Water Cooperation, Supported by Global Gateway Investments: The European Union and Member States have committed more than €1.1 billion to manage transboundary waters in Africa and Central Asia covering 47 countries and 18 major transboundary water basins.
"There is no doubt that water is an essential factor in achieving the goals of sustainable development, and for people and the planet to enjoy health and prosperity. With the progress that has been made, the world is still far from the right track to achieve the goals and targets related to water, which raises concerns and threatens the entire sustainable development agenda." According to the United Nations on its website
“It is imperative that the 2023 United Nations Water Conference results in a bold plan that gives the world’s artery all the commitment it deserves,” said António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.
In addition to this event, there are other activities in the same framework, including:
World Water Day 2023
"The main focus of the event this year is to accelerate change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. We are all concerned, so we must work together. You, your family, your school, your colleagues and your community can make a difference by changing your water use, consumption and management habits," says the international organization.