In preparation for the United Nations Water Conference… an expanded interactive dialogue on the future of water resources

Current discussions highlight the growing shift in the international outlook on the water issue, as one of the main entry points to achieving sustainable development. Water resources management is closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably the sixth goal on clean water and sanitation, as well as its connection to the goals of climate action, protecting ecosystems, and reducing disaster risks.

From this standpoint, water issues have become a crucial element in drawing up environmental, economic and social policies at the regional and international levels. Therefore,Earth Defenders Foundation sheds light in this article on the world’s latest efforts in supporting water issues, with high-level Egyptian participation.. So keep reading.

UN Water Conference

As part of the activities of the preparatory meeting for the United Nations Water Conference, held in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, Dr. Hani Sweilem, “Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation” – in conjunction with Mr. Kojima Masaru, “Assistant Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of the State of Japan” – chaired the opening and management of the preparatory discussions for the third interactive water dialogue, which is held under the title “Water for the Planet”, as part of the preparation for the United Nations Water Conference scheduled to be held in 2026.

The holding of this dialogue comes at a very important time, in light of the escalation of challenges related to water security globally, and the rapid climate changes that the world is witnessing, which have had a direct impact onnatural resources, and on the ability of countries – especially developing countries – to achieve sustainable management of their water resources.

What about the outcomes of the 2023 conference?

In his speech, Dr. Hani Sweilem pointed out that the outcomes of the 2023 United Nations Water Conference – specifically the results of the third interactive dialogue – reflected a clear international commitment to dealing with the challenges of water and climate change, stressing that this commitment has not yet been adequately reflected on the ground, as these challenges still exist, but are witnessing a noticeable worsening after three years, in light of the continuing effects of climate change, increasing rates of environmental degradation, in addition to declining levels of funding. Directed to the water sector.

Expanding global dialogue

The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation explained that, in preparation for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, work was being done to expand the scope of the third interactive dialogue to include various environmental issues related to water, which reflects a growing awareness of the nature of the interconnected challenges facing the world, and emphasizes the need to adopt more comprehensive visions when discussing water resources issues.

Water is a link between climate and biodiversity

The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation then stressed that water has become a pivotal element linking a number of global environmental challenges, including climate change, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, as well as the increasing risk of natural disasters. This requires reformulating water policies into an integrated framework that takes into account these interconnections.

An integrated approach to water management

The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation indicated that confronting these complex challenges requires adopting an integrated approach based on restoring degraded ecosystems, strengthening early warning systems to reduce the effects of extreme climate events, and achieving sustainable management of water resources, in addition to activating cross-border cooperation within the framework of international water law, with a focus on bridging financing and governance gaps, especially in developing countries and regions suffering from the phenomenon of water scarcity.

Wide international and international participation in the dialogue

The dialogue sessions witnessed high-level participation from representatives of governments, international organizations and UN institutions, as the Dutch Special Envoy for Water participated, along with representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the World Meteorological Organization.

Also, the Executive Director of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands moderated the session, with the participation of representatives from the Global Environment Facility, the Global Water Adaptation Alliance, and Wetlands International, as well as government participation from the State of Kazakhstan.

Stakeholders at the heart of discussions

The discussions included interventions from stakeholders, including representatives of children and youth groups, reflecting the trend towards expanding the basis of dialogue and involving various societal groups, in addition to contributions from the World Bank that addressed the global report on continental dryness, as well as participation from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which gave the dialogue a broad participatory dimension.

Dialogue outcomes in preparation for a more comprehensive international vision

Dr. Hani Sweilem concluded the discussions by emphasizing that the outcomes of the third interactive dialogue will contribute significantly to the crystallization of an integrated vision that reflects the priorities of countries suffering from water scarcity and climate fragility. It will also support efforts to mobilize partnerships and financing through clear and implementable commitments, in preparation for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, and in a way that contributes to achieving practical results with a tangible impact on the ground.

So, the results of the expanded interactive dialogue on water confirm that water resources management has become a strategic focus for sustainable development at the regional and international levels, which requires a qualitative shift towards a comprehensive approach that goes beyond simply addressing water scarcity, to include protecting ecosystems, enhancing resilience to climate disasters, and ensuring equitable access to resources.

In light of this,Earth Defenders Foundation believes that the 2026 United Nations Water Conference represents an opportunity to launch an integrated and implementable vision that reflects a balance between environmental, economic and social priorities, and places water at the heart of global development strategies.