5 things you should know about the UN 2023 Water Conference

Photo: © UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker A young girl collects water from a recently rehabilitated well in Gwembe Valley, Zambia

The UN 2023 Water Conference, which takes place at UN Headquarters from 22-24 March, is being hailed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate progress towards universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2030.

Water is at the core of sustainable development. It supports all aspects of life on Earth, and access to safe and clean water is a basic human right. However, decades of mismanagement and misuse have intensified water stress, threatening the many aspects of life that depend on this crucial resource.

1. We are facing a global water crisis

Water is essential for human well-being, energy and food production, healthy ecosystems, gender equality, poverty reduction and more.

But we are currently facing a global water crisis. Billions of people around the world still lack access to water. It is estimated that more than 800,000 people die each year from diseases directly attributed to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene practices.

Demands for this precious resource continue to rise: about four billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month of the year. With water being so crucial to many aspects of life, it is important to ensure its protection and proper management to ensure […]

Full article: 5 things you should know about the UN 2023 Water Conference