News Highlight
U.N. Water Conference 2023 is currently held in New York.
Key Takeaway
- The United Nations 2023 Water Conference, held March 22-24 in New York, was the first major summit on the water in 46 years.
- The UN World Water Development Report 2023: Partnerships and Cooperation for Water were recently issued.
- The conference coincided with the International Decade for Action’s mid-term comprehensive evaluation.
- The United Nations acknowledged the urgent need for action in a report titled “Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028.”
- It means we are not on track to reach the 2030 SDG no. 6 for water: “Ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”
Major findings of the report
- Global
- Worldwide, two billion people do not have safe drinking water, and 3.6 billion do not have safe sanitation.
- Water scarcity is expected to affect one-third of the global urban population in 2016 and nearly half in 2050, with India being the most severely affected.
- India
- Water stress affects 80% of people in Asia, particularly in northeast China, India, and Pakistan.
UN 2023 Water Conference
- About
- The United Nations 2023 Water Conference is the 2023 Conference for the Midterm Comprehensive Assessment of Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028).
- “Our watershed moment: uniting the world for water” intends to help meet internationally agreed-upon water-related goals and targets, such as those in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- It was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- Tajikistan and the Netherlands co-hosted the event.
- The UN waited 46 years to organise this Water Conference in 2023, with the first being held in 1977 in Mar de Plata, Argentina.
Major initiatives taken
- Water Action Agenda
- The 700 voluntary commitments will form the Water Action Agenda.
- Climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure
- The US pledged an investment commitment of up to $49 billion to enhance climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure and services.
- Quality Infrastructure
- Japan announced a 500 billion yen contribution to the Asia-Pacific region’s water-related socioeconomic challenges by creating quality infrastructure.
- River basin management and clean running water
- Vietnam has committed to developing key river basin management regulations by 2025 and clean running water by 2030.
- Africa’s water investments gap
- The African Union Commission and Continental Africa Investment Plan (AIP) intend to mobilise at least $30 billion annually by 2030 to close Africa’s water investment gap.
- European Union (EU)
- By 2030, the EU hopes to provide improved drinking water and sanitation to 70 million people.
- Water Convention and transboundary cooperation
- Switzerland made five commitments related to the Water Convention and transboundary cooperation.
Challenges
- The commitments are not legally binding.
- The water action agenda should have included various experiences but did not include the required water management communities.
- The meeting did not address the violence and threats communities suffer when attempting to protect depleting water sources.
Steps taken by the Indian government to preserve water
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan
- The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a flagship programme of the Indian government that was established in 2019 to protect and manage water resources.
- Water conservation, rainfall collecting, groundwater recharge, and watershed development are all priorities for the programme.
- National Water Mission
- In 2011, the National Water Mission started lowering water usage and enhancing efficiency.
- It also ensures the equitable distribution of water resources throughout the country.
- Clean Ganga Mission
- The Indian government initiated the Clean Ganga Program in 2014 to clean up the Ganga River and its tributaries.
- The initiative primarily concerns sewage treatment, riverside development, and afforestation.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana
- The Indian government introduced the Atal Bhujal Yojana, a groundwater management scheme, in 2019.
- The program aims to develop sustainable groundwater management methods in India’s seven water-stressed states.
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
- The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is an Indian government cleanliness campaign that began in 2014.
- The programme aims to promote cleanliness and hygiene in urban and rural regions, reducing water pollution.
- National River Conservation Plan
- The National River Conservation Plan was established by the Indian government in 1995 to clean up the country’s contaminated waterways.
- The initiative prioritises industrial pollution reduction, sewage treatment, and riverfront development.
Conclusion
- Water conservation is a critical global issue that all nations must address collaboratively.
- The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) establish a framework for countries to work towards universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
- With its large population and increasing water shortage, India has developed several programmes to conserve water resources.
- The Jal Shakti Abhiyan, National Water Mission, and Clean Ganga Mission are all part of it.
- These activities are consistent with worldwide initiatives such as the Paris Climate Accord and the 2030 Water Resources Group.
Pic Courtesy: UN-Water
Content Source: The Hindu