For the first time in the history of the Conferences of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), special attention was paid to water issues and one of the thematic days of COP 27 UNFCCC was devoted to water called “Water Day”.
COP27 Water Day provided a unique platform to discuss various aspects of water within the global climate Agenda, including a special focus on the United Nations Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, which will be held in March 2023 in New York under the co-chairmanship of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
On 14 November 2022, the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Water and Climate Coalition of Leaders, Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda, and the Special Envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for International Water Affairs, Mr. Henk Ovink, moderated the final Plenary Meeting of the COP27 Water Day, within which summed up the results of the COP27 Water Day with key messages for the UN 2023 Water Conference.
At the final plenary session, H.E. Mr. Caba Karosi – President of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Liesje Schreinemacher – Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands, H.E. dr. Hani Sewilam – Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Jamshed Shoimzoda – First Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.P. Ms. Hannele Pokka – Former Minister of Finland, member of the Water and Climate Leaders Panel.
In his speech, Mr. Jamshed Shoimzoda presented the results of the Second High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028 and noted that the Dushanbe Conference has become a key preparatory event for the UN 2023 Water Conference.
He emphasized that the Water Action Agenda, launched in Dushanbe, is now becoming the most important reference point for the New York Conference. He also called for our efforts and actions to be quadrupled in order to achieve SDG 6 and other water-related targets. The Water Action Agenda of the UN 2023 Water Conference should gather all promises, voluntary commitments, and actions that are innovative, transformational, and game-changing.
The plenary session was also attended by representatives of the youth of Egypt and the Netherlands, representatives of international organizations, financial institutions, NGOs, and other interested parties.
