UN Chief Stresses the Importance of Water Management for the Survival of Humanity

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized the importance of managing water sustainably to ensure humanity’s survival. Speaking at a three-day conference on global water resources, Guterres called for rational use of water for agriculture and more aggressive action against climate change. He also said water “needs to be at the center of the global political agenda.” The UN World Water Development Report, released ahead of the conference, revealed that 26% of the world’s population, or two billion people, do not have access to safe drinking water, while 46%, or 3.6 billion people, lack access to basic sanitation. U.N. research also suggests that almost half the world’s people will suffer severe water stress by 2030. Developing nations at the conference made urgent calls for help with cleaner drinking water and better sanitation, with many verbal pledges made to improve water supplies. However, there were few detailed commitments to translate ambition into improved daily life for ordinary people.