Side event “Business Case for Action: the private sector on the Water Action Agenda”

On 14 July 2023, the UN Headquarters in New York hosted a side event titled “Business Case for Action: the private sector on the Water Action Agenda”.

The event was organized by the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the United States, Singapore, and Saint Lucia as part of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The event was aimed at gaining practical lessons based on the interests and motivations of key actors in the water space, mainly governments, the private sector, development partners, UN Resident Coordinators and other stakeholders. It also provided an opportunity to recognize the urgent need for unique resources, expertise and innovation from the private sector, and to try to remove barriers for investment in water resources.

The Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Water and Climate Coalition Leaders, Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFAS, Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda, delivered a closing speech at the event.

In his speech, Mr. Rahimzoda noted the importance of joining the efforts of the private sector with governments, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in order to share experience, technology, and financial opportunities to develop innovative solutions, implement sustainable practices in the use of water resources and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water resources.

“By recognizing water as a strategic business issue and establishing cooperation with other stakeholders, companies (private sector) can reduce risks, reduce costs, improve their reputation and use new opportunities to contribute to the implementation of the Water Agenda for Action” – said Mr. Rahimzoda.