SDG 6 Special Event (HLPF 2026 Side Event)

Thank you so much for the gavel. Good afternoon, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, and friends. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the SDG6 Special Event 2026, held in the context of this year's HLPF. My name is Paula Deda. I am Director of Environment and Forests at UNECE, and it is my pleasure to be your master of ceremonies this afternoon. As we approach 2030, progress on water and sanitation remains far off track in many parts of the world, as you heard this morning. At the same time, pressures are intensifying from climate change and ecosystem degradation to growing demand, rising inequalities, and increasing uncertainty. These challenges remind us of a simple but urgent reality: progress on water cannot happen in isolation. Delivering on SDG 6 requires stronger cooperation, better governance, greater investment, and more effective implementation at all levels. Since 60% of fresh water resources are shared between two or more countries, transboundary cooperation is crucial for peace, sustainable development, and climate action. And of course, this message is coming from me as UNICEF, who hosts the 1992 Water Convention. The water community is accelerating action, and today's program reflects exactly these priorities. We begin with country acceleration case studies showing good practice in how countries accelerate progress towards SDGs, and we will hear from 3 countries whose experience demonstrates that progress is possible when policies, institutions, and partnerships are aligned.— these practical examples of country-level action are especially valuable. They remind us that peer learning and exchange are essential tools for accelerating implementation and strengthening multilateral cooperation. Then we will move to a flagship of joint UN action coordinated by UN-Water, the impressive UN SDG 6 Synthesis Report on Water and Sanitation 26, 2026, which will be launched and which provides an important reflection on where we stand, what has been achieved, and where acceleration is most urgently needed. And finally, our discussion today will help us, help us build momentum towards the 2026 UN Water Conference, of course, where the international community will have a critical opportunity to translate ambition into action. Co-hosts and co-chairs will speak about their vision for the conference. But now we start with welcoming remarks, and we really have the pleasure of having an impressive panel. To open the session, I will pass the floor on to Mr. Lee, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. Mr. Lee is not only leading DESA's work on sustainable development, but is also Secretary-General of the upcoming December 26th UN Water Conference. Over to you, Mr. Li.

Thank you, Master of Ceremony. Thank you for your kind words. Yesterday, I'm here with all the colleagues and participants, not as Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Economic Affairs, but also, most importantly, the Secretary-General of the Conference to provide our support and facilitation presentation to all of you. Well, good afternoon. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this SDG 6 special event jointly convened by the UN-Water and my department, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Well, I guess that we all agree that this year's event comes at a very critical moment, with 4 years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda. Sustainable Development Goal 6 is once again under in-depth review at the High-Level Political Forum. Later this year, Member States will come together at the 2026 UN Water Conference to accelerate the implementation of SDG 6 and to strengthen the international cooperation on water. These milestones remind us of a simple but the fundamental truth. That is, water is not only the SDG 6, it is a foundation for sustainable development, underpinning the progress across the entire 2030 Agenda. The past decade, it has shown that progress is possible. More people have gained access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services. More countries are strengthening the water governance under Integrated Water Resources Management. Yet progress remains too slow and too uneven to achieve our shared ambitions by 2030. Your Excellencies, distinguished participants, today's launch of the SDG Synthesis Report 2026 is especially timely. Prepared by the UN Water members and the partners, the report provides an important evidence base for this year's review of the SDG 6 and for the preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Evidence-based policymaking is essential if we are to accelerate the implementation of the SDG 6. Our task now is to translate the evidence into the action through stronger partnerships, integrated approaches, and sustained investment. Together, we must turn the political commitment into measurable progress for people, prosperity, and the planet. I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to the UN-Water and all its members and partners for their excellent work in preparing this report. I'd also thank the co-host of the 2026 UN-Water Conference, the United Arab Emirates, and Senegal for their continued leadership and commitment.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Li. I'm now passing the floor to Ms. Rania Al-Mashat, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Africa. First of all, also congratulating her for her recent appointment and on behalf of EC also to thank her and thank ESCWA very much for the good cooperation on water and specifically transboundary water cooperation. The floor is yours, please.

Thank you very much, Paula, and thank you, USG Lee. ESCWA is the Economic and Social Commission of West Asia. And Excellency, distinguished representatives, dear colleagues, imagine waking up tomorrow and discovering that the water flowing from your tap has stopped. For many of us, it would be a brief inconvenience. For millions across the region, it is daily reality. More than 90% of the Arab region's population lives in water-scarce countries, with water stress increasing 13% since 2015. In our region, every drop counts. This is why I'm particularly honored that my first statement as Executive Secretary of ESCWA at the High-Level Political Forum is at a water event, because if there is one resource that connects every development challenge, it's water. Exactly as the USG mentioned, water connects food, energy, and ecosystems. Water connects health and human dignity, Water connects resilience and stability. I would like to thank UN DESA and UN Water for gathering us to launch the United Nations SDG 6 Synthesis Report on Water and Sanitation 2026, which is the collective contribution that assesses where we are today and what we need to do together to accelerate progress. And that is precisely the mission of the United Nations System-Wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, which recognizes that water is not a standalone issue, but a connector, a connector across the UN system and across the SDGs. Through our engagement with UN-Water and our 21 member states, ESCWA advances this vision, translating global goals into action, connecting countries and communities around common water challenges. This is particularly important in the Arab region, where two-thirds of freshwater resources cross one or more international borders. In support of SDG 6.5, ESCWA's Esquas strengthens connections between countries through, first, policy networks and partnership, such as our Esquas Intergovernmental Committee on Water Resources, the Arab Ministerial Water Council, the Mashreq Water Knowledge Series we organize with the World Bank, and the Transboundary Water Cooperation Coalition. Second, legal instruments, including the UN Water Convention with UNECE, and third, regional digital platforms such as Esquas Groundwater Knowledge Platform, and Ricar Climate and Water Knowledge Hub. Our solutions are thus as connected as the challenges we face. Ladies and gentlemen, despite immense pressure, we can see stories of progress. In the last 10 years, over 960 million people globally have gained access to safely managed drinking services, including 80 million people in the Arab region. And about 1.2 billion people have gained access to safely managed sanitation services, including 87 million people in the Arab States. These figures represent more than statistics. They represent healthier communities, greater dignity, and greater opportunity. Some of these achievements are documented in UN-Waters SDG6 Country Acceleration Case Studies, including those prepared with Saudi Arabia in 2025 and in Jordan in 2024 with the help of ESCWA. Today's session will feature SDG6 insights from China, Sautomo, and Uzbekistan. These efforts remind us of a simple but powerful truth: progress is possible, progress is happening, but more investment is needed to scale achievements and ensure that no one is left behind. Ladies and gentlemen, the question before us is not whether achieving our water goal is possible. We know it probably is. The question is whether we can move fast enough for the hundreds of millions of people who still can't access clean water and sanitation for a dignified life. Because 2030 is no longer a distant destination, it is just 4 years away. The upcoming 2026 United Nations Water Conference hosted by the UAE and Senegal offers a crucial opportunity to accelerate action and turn commitments into results. In support, ESCWA is expanding the Arab Initiative for Mobilizing Climate Finance for Water with Partners, which was launched as a Water Action Agenda commitment in 2023. And featured during Cairo Water Week last year. ESCWA is also organizing the Arab Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference in September in Amman to support member countries arrive in Abu Dhabi with a joint message on the way forward to 2030 and beyond. Our goal is not simply to generate more recommendations. Our goal is to advance what I would like to call the Triple I Initiative—innovative solutions that harness technology and regional cooperation, integrated solutions that connect water, energy, food, and climate, and investable solutions that deliver tangible results. To do so, we need to scale what works and do so with urgency. Let us work together to deliver solutions that are innovative, integrated, and drive investment for people, planet, and prosperity for all. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Executive Secretary. Aye, aye, aye. I think we will remember that. Thank you so much. There is a small change in the program now and we are going directly to the keynote. It is my great pleasure to welcome Ms. Retno Marsudi, United Nations Secretary-General Special Envoy on Water. At a time of growing water stress and increasing pressure on shared water resources, strong diplomacy and stronger cooperation are essential. So we are pleased to welcome you and give you the floor. Over to you.

Thank you very much, Madam Master of Ceremony.

Excellencies, colleagues, 10 years ago, the international community made an important decision. For the first time, water and sanitation were recognized through a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal. The ambition was clear: to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, for the people. Today, as we review a decade of implementation, we can ask a simple question, and I had mentioned it this morning: Has SDG 6 made a difference? The answer is yes. But these progresses should not make us be complacent. The progress we have seen is not fast enough to cope up with the emerging needs in this complex world. With less than 5 years remaining until 2030, we are not on track to achieve SDG 6. The main challenge before us, as the previous speaker mentioned, is not a lack of knowledge, but implementation. At scale, at speed, including the capacity to implement, especially in countries and communities in need. Colleagues, we have today the opportunity to learn good experiences from China, Sultanahmet Principal, as well as Uzbekistan, on how water action in their respective countries have been successfully implemented how to elevate water in their political agenda, how to strengthen coordination across sectors, how to strengthen governance in water management, and what challenges are pertaining and what barriers are remaining. On top of that, from today's meeting, I expect 3 things. First, expect to learn how investment in water can really make impacts and drive progress on the ground. In all water meetings that I have participated, colleagues, the issue of investment always emerged. How non-state actors are encouraged to support countries in investing in water. How the enabling environment is important to guarantee lasting and meaningful investment in water, or even in what type of investment are important to produce multiple impacts. Second, expect action-oriented lesson learns and findings that can be contributed to the upcoming UN Water Conference. We could scale up the action-oriented lesson learned and present them to the 2026 UN Water Conference. Last, we must expect this meeting to spark ideas about the future of global water agenda after and beyond 2030. Currently, we are looking at a buildup of momentum across SDG— around SDG 6, but we need to ensure that the momentum generated does not stop in 2030. Therefore, we must prepare ourselves to maintain the momentum and prepare what water agenda we want beyond 2030. Excellencies, colleagues, the number of expectations we set in the beginning of this special session will determine how far will the result of our discussion be carried forward. From this event, I believe We must expect no less than discussion focusing on ways to strengthen investment, water to make impacts on the ground, contribute to the 2026 UN Water Conference, and shape the future of water agenda beyond 2030. At the very end, this expectation will dictate our intention, which I believe is to accelerate SDG 6 for the people. And I thank you very much.

Thank you to the Special Envoy, and thank you to the high-level panel we have here today with welcoming remarks. While we change the podium, moving to a particularly important part of today's program, the launch of the SDG 6 country acceleration case studies. These case studies remind us that while the global progress on SDG 6 remains uneven, real progress is possible. They show us that with the right policies, partnerships, and sustained commitment, acceleration can happen. Success stories matter because they demonstrate what works, but also that change is actually achievable. To guide us through this next segment, it is my pleasure to invite Ms. Mireya Villar Forner, Deputy Director of the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Division at the United Nations Development Coordination Office. Mireya, the floor is yours. I don't know what I see. Voilà, please. And I'm going to move next here.

Well, dear colleagues, Dear guests, a very warm welcome to you all to this session, the special event on SDG 6. And I in advance thank you for the opportunity to moderate. During this session, we will hear about excellent examples of how water can be a super connector for SDG acceleration, which have also been turned into country acceleration case studies by UN-Water. First, we will be hearing from Mr. Yuqi Yang, Chief Planner at the Ministry of Water Resources of China, and Mr. Li Rui, Director General of the Department of Water Resources of Zhejiang Province in China. We were expecting to hear from His Excellency Cardoso, Minister of Infrastructure and Natural Resources from São Tomé and Príncipe, but unfortunately he could not join us Finally, we will also be hearing from His Excellency Mutumbayev Timur Nurigidovich, Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. China's Zhejiang Province, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Uzbekistan show how focused public action, predictable finance, professionalized service delivery, and data-driven innovation can accelerate progress on water, sanitation, and hygiene. All our speakers have made a long trip to come here to the UN headquarters to share their experience, and we sincerely thank them for joining us today. Across very different geographies and economies, each case shared the very same core truth: when political leadership, public finance,— and operational reforms aligned with technology and community engagement, measurable progress on SDG 6 follows. China's Zhejiang Province moved from large rural gaps to near-universal rural tap water coverage. In less than 10 years, it has expanded safe water access to more than one-quarter of rural inhabitants, including in remote mountain and island areas. Taking a people-centered approach to water supply, combining standardization with innovation, this was central to an overall rural revitalization strategy. Uzbekistan achieved a rapid reduction in water withdrawals through water-saving reforms and investments. Over the last decade, Uzbekistan has decreased water stress by reducing water usage and promoting water savings. For an arid, landlocked country, these are critical changes, as non-renewable water resources are being depleted, with insufficient water left for water-related ecosystems, particularly the Aral Sea. These are not abstract successes. These are concrete, replicable approaches that can inspire other countries to act. Along these studies that we are presenting today, UN-Water has developed 15 SDG 6 case studies as a key activity from the UN-Water Task Force on Country Level Engagement, where RCs and UNCTs from around the world participate. With this body of research, UN-Water is providing countries and the RCs and UNCTs with actionable lessons and developing a knowledge base on how to turn the global water targets into actionable change at the country level. This body of research also allows for cross-country comparison, which helps national policymakers in the multilateral system. The studies developed by UN-Water cover a breadth of SDGs indicators and regions, as you will be able to see in the map. They are all available on the website if you wish to learn more about any of them. And as I said, all of them share a core message: SDG acceleration is possible and it's practical. So without further delay, let me invite Mr. Yuqi Yang and Mr. Li Rui to present to us the experience of the Zhejiang Province. Please note that they will be making their presentation in Chinese and translation is of course available for those who need it. Over to you.

Okay, thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Chair, distinguished colleagues, good afternoon. It's my great pleasure to participate in this special event and share China's practices and experience in ensuring safe drinking water in rural areas. Safe drinking water lies at the heart of achieving SDG 6, and is fundamental to people's health and well-being. Guided by a people-centered development philosophy, China has consistently regarded ensuring safe drinking water as a key public service and an essential safeguard for people's well-being, achieving remarkable progress over the years. In 2021, President Xi announced at the National Conference on Poverty Alleviation that safe drinking water had been secured for all the people lifted out of poverty. Historic progress has been made in addressing drinking water shortage in impoverished areas, enabling billions of rural residents to replace brackish and unsafe water with clean drinking water. Since 2021, China has continued to improve the quality and efficiency of rural water supply, from moving from fragmented systems to large-scale networks, from traditional management to digital and smart governance. By the end of 2025, China has completed 3.8 million rural water supply facilities serving approximately 850 million people. Rural tap water coverage reached 96% nationwide, providing a solid water supply foundation for rural revitalization and agricultural and rural modernization. China's experience can be summarized in 4 key areas. First, putting people first by continuously advancing rural drinking water safety as a major public well— Water Fair Initiative. China has consistently treated safe drinking water as essential basic public service, increased public investment, and ensured that no household and no individual is left behind, enabling rural residents to benefit from modern water supply services. Second, strengthening accountability through a systematic approach to drinking water security. China has continuously improved the planning, construction, operation, and regulatory framework for rural water supply while clearly defining the responsibilities of local governments, sector regulators, and water supply operators. China has also introduced the standardized 3+1 model for rural water supply development and management. The 3 refers to integrated rural-urban water supply, scale-up centralized water supply system, and standardized management of small-scale water supply scheme. The 1 refers to county-level professional unified management, establishing a standardized governance framework covering the entire water supply chain from source to tap. Third, harnessing IT innovation to modernize governance. China has accelerated the application of digital technology, including digital twin technologies in rural water supply projects. Around 63% of countries and counties have established small management smart management platforms, significantly improving operational efficiency. Dynamic monitoring has also been strengthened through hotline websites and mobile applications operated by the Ministry of Water Resources and local authorities, enabling the timely identification and resolution of rural water supply issues. Fourth, Enhancing emergency preparedness and strengthening the resilience of rural water supply systems. China has been accelerating the development of national water network and continuously improving emergency water supply systems that serve both routine and emergency needs. It has strengthened the capacity to ensure water supply during earthquake Floods, droughts, and other natural disasters, safeguarding rural drinking water security. Ladies and gentlemen, on June 22nd this year, the Chinese government released the National Human Rights Action Plan 2026-2030, which sets the goal of fully implementing the standardized 3+1 rural water supply model nationwide over the next 5 years and raising rural tap water coverage to 98% by 2030. China stands ready to continuously improve— improving and implementing the Global Development Initiative and deepening cooperation with the UN system, governments, and international organizations, especially partners across the Global South in rural areas to deliver water supply in rural areas. And also, We want to advance the implementation of SDG 6 and contribute China's experience and solutions to building a more equitable and resilient global water governance system. Thank you so much.

I would like to make a small correction to the program that I had highlighted earlier. The second representative of the From the Republic of China is Mr. Xiu Shuang. He is the Deputy Director General of the Department of Rural Water and Hydropower of the Ministry of Water Resources of China. Mr.

Chair, distinguished delegates, and experts, ladies and gentlemen. Good afternoon. It is a great honor to share Zhejiang's practice in rural water supply at this SDG6 special event. Chinese President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to rural drinking water safety, calling for clean, safe water for all urban and rural residents. Guided by a people-centered philosophy, Zhejiang has made rural water supply part of basic public services and a key lever in building its demonstration of common prosperity through high-quality development. We have found a path that fits our province and benefits our people, closely aligned with SDG Target 6.1, universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. Zhejiang lies on China's southeast coast with 67 million residents, 27 million of them rural. Water resources are evenly distributed and under stress. We have a large population, limited land, and 70% of the province is mountains and hills. Mountain and island areas face drought-induced shortages or turbidity after heavy rain. To bring urban-quality water to these residents, since 2023, Zhejiang has pursued standardized construction and professional management of rural water projects. Focusing on upgrading small water stations, we have taken 6 measures. First, stronger legal and policy support. At a legal level, provincial government regulations govern the construction and management of rural water supply. At a planning level, a water security plan maps out the resources, plants, and networks, and the Provincial Department of Water Resources issued supporting policies that make both fully operational. Second, classified construction adapted to local conditions. Urban networks are extended first, now serving 78% of rural residents. Large-scale plans serve clusters of nearby villages, capturing economies of scale. And covering another 33%. In mountain areas beyond reach, small water stations are upgraded with unified design, tendering, and procurement, cutting costs while ensuring quality, for the remaining 9%. Third, practical technological innovation. Enterprises and research institutes develop new treatment devices for small stations zero-carbon microfiltration membranes and compact integrated membrane units, small footprint, easy operation, low O&M costs, and more stable supply. Fourth, sound management and service mechanisms. In each county, one professional company operates and maintains all rural water projects funded by water fees, government subsidies, and corporate investment. It covers every link Source protection, quality testing, pipeline inspection, equipment repair, and customer service, keeping water safe for all. Fifth, digital management. Online monitoring devices feed a digital platform that tracks water quantity and quality in real time, enables early warning and dispatching, and promptly resolves residents' water issues, cutting labor costs and lifting service efficiency. 6. Public participation. Campaigns promote safe and efficient water use. Villagers help design, build, and supervise water stations, and a 24-hour service hotline stays open, building a strong sense of co-governance. After years of efforts, Zhejiang is the first province in China to achieve urban-rural drinking water parity. With clear gains in cost efficiency and service. Tap water now reaches every rural household, water quality meets national standards, and rural life has improved markedly. Stable, high-quality supply has also powered new businesses, homestays, agricultural deep processing, and ecotourism, advancing rural revitalization and common prosperity. Ladies and gentlemen, From mountains to islands, Zhejiang has built a province-wide lifeline water network. Water is a global issue, and achieving the SDGs of UN calls for the international community to move forward together. Under the coordination of China's Ministry of Water Resources, we stand ready to share experience, deepen cooperation, and contribute Zhejiang's wisdom to save drinking water for all. Thank you.

Thank you, Diet. Let me now turn to His Excellency Wüthunbayev Timur Nurgitovich to share with us the experience of Uzbekistan. Excellency, the floor is yours.

Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to UN DESA, UN-Water and FAO for organizing this forum at such a high level. I also thank the distinguished delegation of China for the insightful statement. The UN 2030 Agenda and SDGs marked a key step toward a sustainable future through balanced development. Today, water has become one of the world's most pressing global challenges. Water scarcity is increasingly affecting food security, public health, economic development, and national resilience, highlighting the water-energy-food nexus. Earlier this year, a report by the UN University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health warned that humanity has entered an era of global water bankruptcy. In other words, the global water crisis is no longer a challenge of the future, it is an urgent reality of today. Per capita renewable water resources in Central Asia are approximately half of the global average. Climate change is reducing river flows and intensifying drought.— droughts, floods, and socioeconomic as well as environmental pressures. Despite these difficult conditions, Uzbekistan is implementing a systematic and innovative water policy. Uzbekistan has integrated the SDGs into its national development agenda and established a results-oriented monitoring system for their implementation. As a result, over the past decade, Uzbekistan has become one of the countries that has made the most significant positive positive progress toward achieving the SDGs. In particular, under SDG indicator 6.4.2, the level of water stress decreased from 169% to 122% between 2017 and 2022, which is being recognized as a positive result. According to our estimates, water stress is currently around 117% in 2026, and we are working to reduce it to about 95% by 2030. This progress is not only important for Uzbekistan. We believe our experience can benefit other water-stressed countries facing similar challenges. I would like to express my deep gratitude to UN officials for recognizing Uzbekistan's efforts in the water sector and its progress under SDG 6 in 2026. Distinguished participants, allow me to briefly acquaint you with the work carried out and the results achieved in our country regarding SDG 6. First, the institutional and legal reforms in water sector of Uzbekistan. Under the leadership of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, water has been elevated to a strategic priority of state policy. Major institutional and legal reforms, including the establishment of the Ministry of Water Resources, The adoption of a new water code and the water sector development strategy through 2030 has transformed the water governance into a single, integrated, accountable, and results-driven system. Second, ensuring access to clean drinking water. Since 2017, investment in the drinking water supply sector has increased tenfold, and more than 20 million people, or over half of Uzbekistan's population, have benefited from improved water supply and sanitation services through expanded access to centralized clean drinking water and modern sewage infrastructure. Behind these numbers are real improvements in people's lives, safer water, healthier communities, and development opportunities. These results demonstrate that Uzbekistan is fully fulfilling its commitments under the Protocol of— on Water and Health. Third, the adoption of water-saving technologies is becoming a state policy in Uzbekistan. In our country, nearly 90% of water is used in agriculture, and reforming irrigation is one of our strategic objectives. Before 2017, water-saving technologies covered less than 1% of the total 4.3 million hectares of irrigated land. Today, they cover 2.6 million hectares or over 60% of irrigated land, aiming for 100% coverage by 2030. Uzbekistan has turned water conservation into a nationwide movement, building a unique experience. We are not only adopting technologies but also adapting them to local conditions and improving efficiency. This experience is also attracting significant international interest. 4th, digital water management. Digitalization is being widely introduced in the water sector and a unified digital database is being developed that will cover more than 600,000 water users. 5th, the modernization of infrastructure. Around 60% of Uzbekistan's irrigated agriculture relies on pumping stations, making the country irrigation system one of the most energy-intensive in the world. Until 2017, pumping stations accounted for around 20% of the country's electricity consumption. Thanks to modernization, today it is 7%, with further reductions expected. Looking ahead, we will continue investing in canal lining, modern pumping infrastructure, renewable energy, and innovation to improve water and energy efficiency. Overall, these measures are already saving around 11 billion cubic meters of water every year. By 2030, annual water savings will reach approximately 15 billion cubic meters, equivalent to 1 out of every 4 cubic meters of water currently used in Uzbekistan. In addition, I would like to emphasize that Uzbekistan has joined the World Bank's Water Forward Initiative. Becoming one of 15 participating countries committed to advancing water sector reforms, modernizing infrastructure, and mobilizing investment for sustainable water security. Dear participants, allow me to briefly touch upon regional water diplomacy and capacity building. Today, transboundary water is more than a shared resource; it is a bridge for regional cooperation, trust, and development. At the initiative of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoev, a new architecture of regional dialogue and cooperation has taken shape in Central Asia. Since 2018, the Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State have become an effective platform for addressing water challenges and strengthening regional partners' cooperation. This new spirit of regional partnership was reflected in the 2026 Astana Statement of the Heads of State Founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, where all countries endorsed Uzbekistan's initiative to declare 2026-2036 the decade of practical actions for the rational use of water in Central Asia. Starting next year, Uzbekistan will chair the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. Aiming to accelerate regional water, socioeconomic, and environmental efforts and strengthen action against desertification in the RLC region. These efforts contribute to ensuring regional cooperation and sustainable development in line with SDG 6. Uzbekistan is strengthening human capital in the water sector. In the past 2 years, Tashkent Irrigation University has risen 89 places in international rankings and now educates over 10,000 students from 16 countries, including through a master's program in international water diplomacy. In addition, the National School of Water Managers has already trained more than 90,000 water sector professionals and farmers in efficient water use and irrigation management. Uzbekistan is expanding its international presence and strengthening water cooperation. In 2025-2026, the country hosted major international events including Tashkent Water Week and the first Tashkent Women's Water Week, reaffirming its commitment to inclusiveness and women's empowerment in the water sector. Building on this momentum, the ancient city of Samarkand will host the World Water Conservation Forum this autumn. We look forward to welcoming you to Uzbekistan, where together we can turn dialogue into practical solutions for a more water-secure future. Distinguished participants, Uzbekistan's experience shows that even in one of the world's most water-stressed regions, progress is possible with political will, reform, innovation, and cooperation. We are ready to share our experience with countries facing similar water challenges. And to learn from others. Only through stronger partnerships, greater investment, wider technology transfer, and mutual trust we can achieve SDG 6 and ensure water security for future generations. Thank you for your attention.

Thank you, Excellency, and indeed congratulations. Following the country presentations, we have the opportunity to hear from two respondents who will be reacting to these experiences. And to begin, let me turn to His Excellency James Brown, who's the Minister of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage of Ireland.

Thank you very much, Chair. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Ireland thanks China and Uzbekistan for sharing their case studies. China's experience of safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas, this is a topic that resonates with Ireland as we have an active community-led rural water sector which ensures the vibrancy of rural communities. Ireland is actively implementing drinking water safety plans for all water supplies similar to China. Uzbekistan has highlighted the value of monitoring to track the progress being made on integrated water resource management. Their innovation, technology, and digitalization are highlighted as important aspects of modernization in the water sector. Putting people first and leaving no one behind are important lessons from these case studies. So again, I thank very much China and Uzbekistan. Ireland recognizes the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensure access to water and sanitation for all. Ireland welcomes today's launch of the 2026 SDG 6 Synthesis Report. Ireland aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and its member states, which highlights the strong interlinkages between water, climate, food, biodiversity, among others. This report will provide valuable qualitative and quantitative information necessary to take the progression of this SDG goal into the next year. Ireland is grateful to those who carried out the reporting and data collection and provided case studies. We welcome the inclusion of case studies as they facilitate peer-to-peer learning necessary to localize progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6. Ireland would like to highlight the progress that has been made towards Sustainable Development Goal 6. This has the effect of highlighting water policy at national levels, streamlining approaches, and fostering multi-stakeholder participation. However, it is evident that progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 remains off track. Fragmentation and a lack of financial resources, as well as gaps between global goals and local capacities, are possible causes for this. To address these gaps, alignment with international commitments and transboundary cooperation are key. Ireland aligns itself with the vision for Sustainable Development Goal 6 that prioritizes increased monitoring, data collection, and innovative financial partnerships. Ireland, on a practical level, we have focused on integrated water resource management through the effective implementation of the Water Framework Directive and its daughter directives, the Drinking Water Directive and Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. We are working toward this achievement of good ecological status across all surface and groundwater by 2027 by focusing on targeting the right measures in the right place. We are also committed to the EU Water Resilience Strategy, which aligns with the Water Framework Directive. Ireland has committed to acceding to both the UN Water Convention and the Protocol on Water and Health during the lifetime of the Irish Presidency of the European Council. We aim to have acceded to these multilateral environmental agreements by 2026 and the UN Water Conference in December. And this means Ireland is committing to increased international cooperation towards the achievement of SDG 6 and sending a strong political signal on the importance of transboundary cooperation on water. We look forward to the 2026 UN Water Conference and the opportunity to contribute towards the strengthening of a global agenda on water in the coming decade. In acceding to these multilateral environmental agreements during the Irish presidency of the European Council, Ireland is sending a strong political signal on the importance of transboundary cooperation towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6. Again, thank you, Chair, and thank you to China and Uzbekistan.

Thank you, Minister Excellency. Thank you for your reflections. Let me now finally turn to Evariste Kouassi Komlan, who is the Director of Water and Sanitation Practice at UNICEF. Thank you for your thoughts on this Thank you very much.

I'm very happy to be here with you today, Excellency, distinguished representative, and also dear colleagues. It's my pleasure today to address you in my capacity of co-coordinator of the UN-Water Task Force on Country Level Engagement. UN-Water country level engagement work is led by a task force coordinated by FAO, UNDP, and UNICEF. Throughout this task force and working closely with UNDCO, UN-Water reinforced the interagency effort of UN Resident Coordinator and also UN Country Team on water-related issues in the country and also coordinate effort among UN-Water-related and also intervention at the country level and many other initiatives. As part of the implementation of the UN system-wide strategy for water and sanitation. UN-Water supports collaboration for joint country programming by integrating water into the country plan actions and also connecting countries with expertise and initiative by strengthening also coordination at the country level. Today, case studies are quite powerful, and I just want to congratulate China, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Uzbekistan for a very nice case study presented today. Those case studies presented an excellent example of how UN-Water collaborates with countries and also promotes capacity building. Those case studies explore also country pathways to accelerating progress on SDGs at the national level. They also document replicable good practices for achieving SDG targets and also examine how progress can be accelerated across SDGs at the country level. So, on behalf of the task force, I am pleased to announce that the second round of the UN Water Seed Funding to countries was launched and UN-WATER received more than 40 applications by different UN country teams. Those proposals are presented by 2 or more UN agencies at the country level in coordination with UN Resident Coordinator at the country level. The quality of those proposals were very, very high and excellent. UN-Water has decided to start working with 13 of those countries, with the remaining of those countries in the pipeline planning resource mobilization and also additional resource to be mobilized. So you might be willing to hear about those 13 countries. I think some of them have received notice already. Those countries include Cabo Verde, Guyana, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Nepal, Palau, Panama, Tajikistan, and Zambia. So congratulations to all those countries. Thank you very much, Chair. This is my statement today. Thank you.

Thank you to all those that spoke. We have heard about what progress can be achieved when we apply a systems approach to water management, what happens when community owns and is engaged and participates in the decision-making, but also of the management of those systems, the opportunities that investments in water have also for creating and strengthening human capital, We've heard about the power of digitalization to bring scale and efficiencies in those systems, but also the important role that water plays in regional trust, diplomacy, and how it can act as a multiplier for many other sectors in our economy and in our society. We've heard about irrigation, about energy efficiency, etc. We've been all very, um, limited by the time that we had offered, and we have now the happy circumstance of having about 15 minutes, which is a wonderful opportunity, a little bit off script, to exchange about what we've heard. So I would like to elicit either comments or questions directed at the presenters, um, or questions that could be also channeled through the Task Force on Country Level Engagement, particularly messaging that could be received by the UN country teams where they are, particularly the ones that have applied and are working actively on water issues. So with that, I would like to open the floor and invite for comments, questions, again, to the speakers or more broadly. And if you could introduce yourselves when you intervene.

Thank you. Hi, Roderick Hart speaking on behalf of the EU. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I'm speaking on behalf of the EU and its member states actually. We welcome the launch of the 2026 SDG 6 synthesis report as a timely and essential contribution to this year's HLPF and its in-depth review of SDG 6. The report provides an indispensable evidence base to assess where we stand, to identify remaining gaps and inequalities, and to guide the urgent course correction that is needed. Importantly, this report helps us better understand the strong interlinkages between water, climate, food systems, energy, health, biodiversity, and resilient ecosystems. These synergies must be placed at the heart of our policy response, which must be based on science and integrated approaches to water management. We also see strong value in peer learning and country acceleration efforts, including through practical experiences SGG 6 case studies, which help translate global commitments into scalable national and local solutions. And thank you to everyone who presented today. At the same time, progress will not be possible without stronger transboundary water cooperation and increased financing from all sources. The 2026 UN Water Conference will be an opportunity to turn the synthesis report's findings into enhancing implementation, accelerating action, strengthening accountability, and building momentum for practical solutions at scale. We stand ready to work with all partners to ensure that this opportunity delivers meaningful outcomes. I thank you.

I cannot see all the lights from here. I'm sure there are many that are already lit. No, I didn't mean that one. You have before you two countries that have made amazing work around the water agenda, and this is a unique opportunity to address them directly. Please go ahead.

It's okay. Hi, I'm here representing the International Association for Human Values and the Art of Living Foundation, present in 182 countries. We have just concluded a side event focused on community-led water conservation and river rejuvenation. We have developed a methodology to revive rivers, and we have done so more than 70 rivers across India. We are here to offer that methodology to the other countries that may be facing similar challenges, and I'm so grateful that I had a chance to be in this room and hear from so many distinguished speakers, please know I'm here. That's all I wanted to say. Thank you.

Thank you in advance.

So if you want to know about river rejuvenation with very proven test cases in India, she is the one.

We have a question over here.

Please go ahead.

Hi, my name is Alex. I'm a youth and I founded an organization named Sociosecurity. My question to many of the presenters today, we've seen demonstrated examples of how they found success in their respective countries. My question to the distinguished presenters today is that how have youth played a role in their specific countries and helping them reach the goals of SDG 6? And do they think that youth are important in these cases? Thank you. Thank you.

I'm gonna take one or more questions and I'll give the world back to our presenters. Thank you.

Well, first and foremost, I would like to congratulate— I am the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. And I would like to congratulate the organizers on the approach being taken in the 2026 Conference, which improves from my point of view upon the shortcomings and missteps of 2023. However, there are several issues, as I said yesterday— this morning, that concern me and which I do not have seen reflected in the 7 key messages. Issues. The first question is toxic discharges and the toxic contamination of drinking water. My view and my data are that they are on the rise in many, many countries, driven by mining, agrochemicals, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS, a trend that is being masked by a lack of transparency, and I think it's very grave, this question. Second, I think we need to pay specific attention to the dialogue with recognition of and participation of right holders, beyond stakeholders, right holders who are often criminalized for defending their rights, with women at the forefront, as I said this morning. And who are and must be considered key allies in making effective progress in SDG 6, given their deep commitment. They are the ones with stronger commitment because they're more interested in progress in SDG 6. And finally, for me, when we talk on strengthening multilateral approach, there is a concrete issue that I insist— I insist— institutionalizing the Water Conference by ensuring the adoption of a human rights-based approach and broad social participation. For me, this is a key issue for the future. Thank you.

Thank you. Just before wrapping up, this segment, I just wanted to see if there was any interest in reacting to the question around youth or in the issue of contaminants, if this is something that your countries have been able to work on. Good afternoon.

Just now we heard a couple of very good questions. Actually, in addressing the water safety, we went through different stages. First, we need to address the quantity of our safe water supply. The access to safe water of the population. At the same time, we also place emphasis on quality of the water supply. Through 2012, we adopted a 3+1 water supply approach. We prioritize on the quantity of water supply. That is, we centralize the water supply From fragmented water supply into centralized water supply, we build a large-scale water supply pipeline and a network to supply safe drinking water to rural areas. At the same time, we protect the quality of the water source. We protect the water source quality. We monitor the water— ambient water quality so as to comprehensively enhance the water quality and to ensure safety of the drinking water. And in China, we formulated very strict water supply stand— quality standards. We enhance monitoring and water source site protection to improve the water supply quality to ensure the safe drinking water access to all. At the same time, we emphasize on the sustainable operation of water supply facilities. That is, once we build the water stations, we need to make sure they can operate in a sustainable manner. So on the county level, we adopted a county-level unified management approach in order to address the issue of sustainability of water supply stations. So once they are built, they can operate sustainably. And through these interventions, our population can have access to quality water supply in a sustainable manner. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And with this, we reach the end of this segment. In concluding, I think it's very clear, and we all share the vision, that water is indeed a super connector for SDG acceleration. And there are many, many countries that can help us see the way with investments on the capacities that they have already created. So I conclude this section here, and we can move towards the presentation of the report. Thank you.

We congratulate Uzbekistan in particular for the recent accession to the Protocol on Water and Health. While we change the podium, allow me to say a few words about these case studies, which have reminded us that progress on SDG 6 is possible when political commitment, strong institutions, and effective partnership come together. While country experiences help us understand what progress looks like in practice, our next segment takes us back to the global picture. The UN SDG 6 Synthesis Report, as already reminded us by the EU delegate, provides us a critical evidence base for understanding where we stand, where progress is accelerating, and where major gaps remain. It helps us move beyond individual success stories to a broader understanding of the systemic changes needed to deliver SDG 6 by 2030. I need the speakers to be a bit— Yeah, thank you. So now allow me to introduce the next panel, which will be guided by Joachim Arlin, Chief Manager of UNEP-DHI Center on Water and Environment and Coordinator of the UN Water Expert Group on the 2030 Agenda, and inviting the speakers in the room if they want to chat to do so outside, otherwise we don't hear the speakers in the room. Thank you. Joachim, over to you.

Thank you. Thank you so much. And thank you for joining today. Today's briefing, it's a briefing on the third edition of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 Synthesis Report on Water and Sanitation, as you as you can see on this slide. The first report was produced in 2018, and that report showed that we in the UN system could deliver as one for SDG 6, and we provided data and a global baseline for us now to make progress. As you can see, there we have the three reports to date, right? And then 2023, you may recall, this was produced shortly after the conference, and it provided a blueprint capturing the findings and discussions and putting forward a blueprint for acceleration. It made the case for a dedicated UN system-wide strategy on water and sanitation, among other things, and it also informed a General Assembly resolution shortly afterwards. Today's briefing is about the report now in 2026, and we've given it the title '10 Years of SDG 6 and the Path to 2030 and Beyond.' Next, please. As you can see, the aim of the report here— why this report matters— and it's been 10 years now since the adoption of Agenda 2030, and therefore also of the SDG 6. And this report provides us now with a 10-year review of the actual progress achieved in terms of the numbers based on the latest data and evidences, but it also examines the impact this has had on development and the value added to stakeholders. Secondly, with less than 5 years remaining, the report also provides some lessons and recommendations how we can accelerate progress and strengthen UN multilateral approach to water and sanitation also beyond 2030. The report is a product of us in the UN Water family. We're trying to speak here with one voice and we represent 36 member organizations and 54 partners. And the report also is published under the UN-Water logo with a foreword by our Secretary-General. Now I hand over to you, Li Feng, to give a— walk us through a little bit of the progress.

Okay, thank you. Thank you, Joachim. Excellencies, distinguished guests, I think the report provides a very good overview and on this slide you can see all the 8 targets and 11 indicators we reported through here. You can see, indeed, for most of the indicators, they already show very positive progress that has been made. This has really come from the comprehensive analysis that we analyze all the data collected and through the Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6, comprised of the constituency agencies for each of the indicators and coordinated by UNWOMAN. Water. Next, please. And we are very confident that we can see that after 10 years of the SDG 6, countries are delivering measurable progress, and the examples here, you can see billions of more people can access safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. And certainly, water use efficiency has also been improved, and when we talk about the water use efficiency, Indeed, FAO is the constituency agency for that, and that has been increased about 20%. However, this indicator is really defined as the GDP generated per sector divided by the amount of water withdrawn per sector, and certainly the increase is mainly due to the economic growth rather than a decrease of water withdrawal. Similarly, I think the next indicator for which I feel is a constraint is the water stress, which didn't show much changes, which you can understand that the global score of the water stress is above 80%, which basically means that about 80% of available fresh water is being used by us, and this does not change over time, but then If we look at specific country level or region level or river basin level, the water stress could be very, very high, especially in North Africa, West and Central Asia regions. And certainly many more countries, about over 60% of more countries really applying integrated water resource management. From a data perspective, certainly SDG 6 has ignited a holistic a holistic global effort to monitor, to measure, to manage, and to improve water resources management, although we still are facing some of the challenges, some of the data gaps. Next, please. The new analysis we're undertaking also to examine the trends and also signals of acceleration at the regional and country level. The results are very positive and encouraging. They show, for example, firstly, More countries are making year-on-year improvement between reporting cycles for most of the indicators. Secondly, there are signals of acceleration. Rate of progress in some countries and regions for some indicators are really increased. There are specific details you can find in the report. While the progress is accelerating, it remains a— and also incremental. There continues to be an area of stagnation or decline, Specifically, as I mentioned previously, lack of water stress remains more or less the same, although some of the countries and the regions are facing much more challenges. The report also includes a time-to-target analysis, and globally, current pace remains too slow, as we heard over and over in today's remarks. It remains too slow to reach the target by 2030, and we also provide some of the estimates for some of the indicators that's included in this report. Next, please. Then in Chapter 3, we look at the impacts of SDGs on the policy development and also implementation. So that is really built upon the quantitative analysis in Chapter 2, and this chapter really provides an assessment of each of the 8 SDG targets and also their specific impacts from a policy perspective. So target by target, it examines the benefit beyond the numbers that SDG 6 progress has had on the water and sanitation, as well as the other SDGs and intergovernmental processes such as on health, on climate actions, and biodiversity. It captures the main challenges and also limitations after decades of implementation. It also highlights emerging issues on the horizon towards 2030 and beyond. Additionally, for each of the SDG 6 targets, there are several key messages directed to the member states and the policymakers on how implementation can be accelerated towards 2030 and beyond. Finally, Chapter 3 also includes practical examples from SDG 6 country acceleration case studies. We just heard some of the examples this afternoon, and that is really coordinated by UN-Water since 2022. Let's really explore the country's pathways towards achieving accelerated progress on different SDG 6 targets and 11 indicators at the national level. With that, I hand over to Sophia.

Thank you very much. So in the next few slides, we will look at the stakeholder was done for the synthesis report and what the main findings of that was. So as we heard today in the thematic review of SDG 6, stakeholders are instrumental in the implementation of SDG 6. And as an input to the report, we wanted to consult and capture the experience and perspectives from stakeholders. UN-Water undertook a public consultation at the end of 2025 2015, conducted as an online survey in all 6 UN languages. The survey link was circulated through the vast networks of UN-Water members and partners, major groups, as well as via listservs and social media channels, with particular effort to reach youth, women's organizations, private sector, as well as actors working nationally and locally. There were a total of 1,260 61 responses, which is very good. And more than three-quarters of those responses came from the national, subnational, and local levels. In the graphs there on the screen, you can also see the geographic distribution. 36% of the respondents came from Sub-Saharan Africa, with the following largest regional group represented being Asia-Pacific with 18% of the respondents. And what was very good is that these were very informed respondents. 70% of the respondents are actively engaged in supporting and implementing SDG 6. Next slide, please. So the key findings from the consultation are presented in detail in Chapter 4 and also here on this chart, which can be a bit hard, hard to see on the screen there. So I'd like to emphasize a few of the important findings. The good news is that 97% of of the respondents considered SDG 6 to be useful. That might not be surprising given that I just said that 70% of these respondents are actively involved in implementing it, so we're glad to find that they find it useful. They reported that it was particularly useful for agenda setting, providing a common reference, elevating water as a priority in the global political and development agenda. However, The respondents found SDG 6 to be only moderately impactful. Many reported the SDG 6 has led to more incremental than transformative in terms of progress addressing inequalities and fostering cross-sector coordination and partnerships. And more alarmingly, the respondents found that SDG 6 is only partially achievable under the current conditions. Some reported that it was not seen as a direct driver of service delivery outcomes, while others pointed to the disconnect between high-level policy objectives and local operational realities. Another important result from the survey was the overwhelming support for water and sanitation to continue as a Global Development Goal beyond 2030. 96% of stakeholders indicated that it would be valuable to have a water and sanitation goal in future global frameworks, and nearly three-quarters considered that it would be extremely valuable. So in summary, the results of this consultation show that the existence of a dedicated global goal is seen as having helped to align actors across government, civil society, development partners, and the private sector. Around common objectives and language. Several respondents noted SDG 6 offered legitimacy for water and sanitation issues within broader development planning processes, helping to justify inclusion in national strategies, sector plans, and investment discussions. However, respondents noted persistent sectoral silos and weak coordination across institutions and levels of government, and a fragmentation of financing as well as insufficient integration of climate risks, environmental sustainability, and resilience. And you heard me today earlier in the SDG 6 thematic review, perhaps, in my statement, reiterating the IUCN call for global framework for water action and governance to exactly address some of these structural issues that the respondents identified in the survey as well. So over to you, Joachim.

Thank you very much. So on the basis of these different elements of the 10-year review, we distilled 6 key findings. One, SDG 6 has elevated water as a political priority. It has shaped country pathways to progress. It's been used to formulate policy, set national targets, line definitions, harmonize technical standards, strengthen institutional arrangements and delivery systems. SDG 6 has provided an entry point for coordination and cooperation across sectors and levels, and it has catalyzed stakeholder action. As we have heard in the previous presentations today, while stakeholders found SDG 6 to be very useful, The responses call for stronger delivery mechanisms. We need to get closer links between policy commitments and operational realities on the ground. SDG 6 implementation has been constrained by under-resourcing. Persistent gaps in capacity, governance, operational performance, and financing have limited progress. And finally, UN system-wide coordination and delivery has been strengthened through UN-Water, the interagency coordination mechanism, the integrated SDG 6 monitoring initiative, the UN system-wide strategy for water and sanitation, and country-level engagement through RCs and UN country team systems. In this way, UN-Water is really responding to UN 80 Call for More effective coordination. So these are some of the lessons we've learned. Next, please. Meanwhile, we've had 10 years where we have taken stock, but at the tail end of this, we now have very much a changing global landscape, and the implementation of Agenda 2030 is within it, and we have to navigate a period of tremendous change. The report explores a few opportunities and constraints in this evolving landscape. It discusses advances in science and technology and innovation to help overcome persistent barriers to progress. Also, there is discussion on the context and the approach of financing, particularly development finance and ODA. The multilateralism presents new challenges and opportunities. This includes within the current landscape of UN80 reforms. Water is also seen increasingly as a super connector for Agenda 2030 and beyond. The interconnected nature of water and the achievement of many SDGs and Agenda 2030 as a whole is more clear than ever. Ambition on water is rising on the international agenda. After a gap of 46 years, we're now in a sequence of 3 UN General Assembly-convened conferences on water, and we also have the appointment of the first UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Water. Next slide, please. So looking forward, there's an urgent need now to move from incremental to transformative transformative progress. This is a message that's coming through from our report. And water and sanitation needs a strong multilateral approach towards 2030 and beyond. The final chapter of the report provides recommendations from the UN system on the path to 2030 and what we can also do beyond 2030. And I'll try to walk us through these recommendations. The first is around, as you can see, accelerating, improving, and transforming SDG 6 implementation. We have a recommendation on scaling up financing and capacity development and taking advantage of science and technology and innovation, as we capitalize on upcoming '26 and '28 conferences on water. Our second recommendation is addressing water as a systemic driver for— of sustainable development. This is around the role of water as a super connector that can help accelerate and transform. We also have a recommendation to continue mainstreaming water-related issues within existing intergovernmental processes. This can be done through aligning efforts towards compatible policy objectives targets and indicators. Now we need to move slide. Next, we have recommendations related to strengthening a better structuring stakeholder engagement, both locally in support of direct implementation of SDG 6 at national and subnational levels, but also as well within existing and future related intergovernmental processes at the UN. This includes bringing stakeholder engagements and efforts 2023 to 2026 and 2028 conferences. We have a recommendation to build on the lessons learned from SDG 6 to improve future water-related goals. A main finding from the 10-year review is the need to better link high-level policy goals and targets with the means of implementation, grounding it in operational realities. Perhaps in the future we don't have the means of implementation as add-ons at the end of our targets, but integrated into the targets. Consolidate evidence and data to strengthen future goals and targets, include potential candidates, indicators for a post-2030 and beyond framework. Two final recommendations fit to shape future pathways for water at the UN. First, ensure a future intergovernmental process for water at the UN beyond 2030. The endpoints are fast approaching for the Water Action Decade on 28— at 28, and current mandate for SDG 6 at the end of 2030. Member States can decide to convene such a process within the General Assembly or Economic and Social Council. This includes the possibility of a substantive outcomes such as intergovernmentally agreed declarations. And finally, in support of member states, it's proposed to scale up agile and effective UN system-wide support, coordination, and delivery of water and sanitation by strengthening existing water and sanitation programs within the UN entities, members of UN Water scaling up, localizing implementation of UN system-wide strategy for water and sanitation. And we also have a recommendation to enhance UN-Water itself by evolving its secretariat into a coordination office that serves the interagency mechanism. This would increase visibility of the— in the UN system efforts to deliver coordinated and support based on and the needs of Member States, on demand and at the scale required. So, to close: 10 years of implementing SDG 6 have shown that progress is not only possible, it is already happening at scale. But gains remain uneven and incremental. Implementation gaps persist. With less than 5 years until 2030, We are at a critical juncture to bridge the gap between potential and reality. Looking ahead, addressing future water challenges will require more action on water and sanitation. Taken together, this makes the case for building on SDG 6 to sustain momentum with a dedicated goal on water in the post-2030 and enhancing multilateral efforts that can drive lasting and systemic impact. With that, thank you very much, and I hand over back to Paula.

Thank you, thank you very much, Joachim, and thank you to all the speakers. It is my great pleasure now to pass the floor for an intervention to Alice Bischock, Chair of the Bureau of the UNISeawater Convention from the Ministry of Natural Resources on spatial planning of Slovenia. Alice, over to you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Excellencies, dear colleagues. As a water-rich country with a long tradition of integrated water resources management, through years Slovenia has made substantial progress towards ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, based on strong environmental and water-related legislation, well-established tradition in integrated planning, reliable monitoring systems, and close cooperation among national institutions, local communities, scientific organizations, and water utilities. In combination with sanitation, Slovenia's experience highlighting— highlights also other important accelerators: advanced source-to-sea approaches integrating river basin and marine management, —closely linked with flood risk management and spatial planning—strengthens resilience to increasing climate variability. Restoration and conjunctive management of rivers, wetlands and groundwater, as well as involvement of nature-based solutions, contribute simultaneously to biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and human well-being. Digital technologies, satellite observation and artificial intelligence offer new opportunities for improving water monitoring and anticipating future risks. And lastly, transboundary cooperation is another important accelerator of SDG 6 implementation, as it enhances resilience to floods and droughts, supports sustainable development, and contributes to peace and stability in regions. In this regard, Slovenia, in its daily activities in transboundary context, also values the experience gained through its chairmanship of the Bureau of the UNEC Water Convention. Slovenia's experience shows that water security is not achieved through infrastructure alone. It is built through sound management and governance, long-term stewardship of water resources, transboundary cooperation, stakeholder involvement, and participatory solutions. We would like to congratulate UN-Water for issuing the third UN SDG 6 synthesis report on water and sanitation. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Thank you so much, Alice, and thank you and Slovenia for the amazing work you're doing on water in general and also for the Water Convention. It's so much appreciated. Before I open the floor for questions. I just wanted to remind everybody that we have copies of the exact summary of the SDG6 report. It's very light, you can take it in your luggage. That's why they did it so light, and it's really well done. So please, we have copies next to me and I think also at the entrance. Now we have a few minutes for questions, so I'm very happy to open the floor. Just wave in case so that I can see you if you have any questions. I see a hand there. Maybe you can take the microphone and also introduce yourself before the question. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

My name is Soyinka Williams. I'm the founder and executive director of the Williams Hope Alive Humanitarian Foundation in Nigeria, and I'm so happy to be here, and it's so interesting I'm hearing our great speakers speak of different implementation of SDG 6 and how they have scaled and achieved success. So very important to me is the rural communities. My foundation has been able to impact some of the communities through menstrual hygiene education and SDGs in terms of water and education. So I know when Uchenna was speaking, they talked about that they were able to scale even more than 90% success in the rural communities. So how can we effectively affect the rural communities? So I just want to know more of the strategies so that we can be able to implement it. Also, I was also so interested that countries, let's say, for instance, like my country, Nigeria, that we need all those kind of advice and strategies. So how can also we bring those kind of interventions and to influence countries that are not implementing it very well so that they can also become part of the success of other countries that have recorded remarkable success. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Any of you that wants to take this? How do we bring successes where there are none at the moment?

Jochem?

I was wondering if we had anyone here from UNICEF in the room. Yes, no? That was a hand for something else. This is a very important question and topic. We could say that— I mean, in general terms, we can say that SDG 6 has been very successful at global level to set the global agenda, also at policy level at country. However, we're less successful in the implementation side and also getting down to the subnational levels. And this is something that we want to strengthen and work more with, and that's some of those pathways we have in the report speak specifically about that. In terms of sharing experiences and also, you could say, learning and the learning, this is super important, and that's why I think we also are recommending that these two conferences that are now with 2026 and '28, that they become regular events where those lessons can be shared. You also heard earlier today that we in UN-Water have country case studies, so it would be also welcome maybe to have a country case study from Nigeria related to menstrual hygiene and how you've made advances there. Could be a good topic also to make a case study and share those lessons. Thank you.

Please, please go ahead.

Yes, since you asked the question about the rural community, can I ask the audience in this room how many of you really come from the— you consider yourself from agriculture sector? Agriculture sector or rural— works on a rural Issues? University? Oh, one, two. We have a couple of hands. Thank you. Thank you so much. That speaks a lot, right? That speaks a lot of our agriculture accounts for over 72% of the global freshwater withdrawal. And here in this room, it's pretty much the least represented group. Having said that, I think in the country studies we do look at, in the rural— some of the country studies, we do look at how the water and sanitation issues have been addressed, how the agricultural water management has been improved in some of the areas. I think from those country studies, maybe we can further dig in to see how those experiences can really help to advance the water management in the rural areas, both for the community but also for the food security in the future. Thank you.

Please, please go ahead.

Thank you so much. If I could also just jump into the question about rural communities, because it's a really good one. And I think one of the challenges that we have today is that a lot of the water and sanitation services in rural communities in many parts of the world are provided by humanitarian actors, and you have —this separation between SDG 6, the development agenda, and the humanitarian Wash sector with its Sphere Standards. That's, again, one of the reasons why we are calling for some kind of process, a framework that would tie together the humanitarian and the development work. We've been talking about this for a long time. I was doing Wash programs with Oxfam 20 years ago, and we were talking about linking relief to development back then, but we haven't really seen that happening. So making that connection, providing more holistic and comprehensive and consistent service provision and service improvement for rural communities is what's needed. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Sophie. We still have time for another question if anybody— I see, yes, please. I see two hands. First is the lady here to my right, who asked for the floor. Questions? No? Yeah? Yeah, please go ahead. It's you. Yeah. Hi.

Thank you. Thank you for— first of all, I wanted to thank the representative from China. Very impressed with what China has done in relation to ensuring safe and strict standards for their water. Speaking from the US with an organization called Commission on Voluntary Service and Action. We're a consultative and coordinating body of grassroots non-governmental organizations that are addressing the needs in their community and also fighting for solutions using the framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals as that framework to address systemic solutions. I'm here with a report from, uh, It's called the 2026 U.S. People's Report on Sustainable Development. And we do have a section on Goal 6. And in this section, it does talk about how the United States is moving farther away from this target, not closer, because water is not solely a developing country problem. To some extent, water scarcity and pollution problems faced by developing countries are consequences of US corporations or military operating in their countries that do harm to their environments. So US handling of water protection, management, usage, and distribution is a problem both at home in the US and abroad. And so I wanted to make people aware that we do have this report available. The US government doesn't see water as a human right. And in the absence of that federal commitment to the goal of universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water in the U.S., the local, municipal, and state governments struggle to develop solutions to the overwhelming speed with which our water sources are being depleted, contaminated, or both. And we're also seeing effects of extreme weather events and high costs of water management, which are placing extreme strain on the water nation's systems. So this report is available if people would like to see me afterwards and we could share that with you to hear what is happening in the US. This is put together by grassroots organizations that are addressing those needs. And so it talks about what they're doing in the positive to deal with their communities who have had their waters contaminated, who don't have access to water or can't afford water. So this is available and we'd like to make that and share that.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. I think that I saw someone behind you. Exactly, I see a hand. I don't see the person. Maybe you want to introduce yourself and take the floor. This is the last question, please. This is a panel for questions, so if you want to inform us of some things, okay, but maybe you want to ask questions to our panelists as we have the privilege of having them here.

Over to you. Hi, thank you.

Emilia Wenger from Wildlife Conservation Society.

We've seen really good examples of success stories. I'm curious, in the report, which were the SDG 6 targets that weren't doing so well, and what do you think we can learn from the ones that have been lagging to bring those SDGs up to be better performing in the next few years?

Who wants to take this one? Yes, please, Phil.

Yes, since you talk about the wildlife conservation, if you look at the SDG 6 indicator on freshwater ecosystems, I think that's probably indicator that should have been speed up. I think that seems a little bit slow in my view. Also, I shared the view regarding the score of the own water stress. Globally, we talk about about 20% of the available freshwater has been used and that remains more or less the same in the past 10 years and that's largely because we already have used available water resources. But then going forward, I think that we still have a huge challenge in terms of reducing the water stress. For agriculture, for food system alone, we did the sort of you know, the forecast. If by 2050, if we could produce like 50% more food to feed the world population compared to the production level of 2012, even considering all the scenarios, at least we need additionally 25% more fresh water. In the world now, we see in many places Rivers get dry, wetlands get dry, lakes get dry. How can we get the additional 25% of more fresh water to produce food? It's hugely challenging, even considering that's over 60% of water flowing across different boundaries. In a number of areas, we do see there's a huge, huge challenge, and we have to speed up the actions. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Joachim, want to add something?

I wasn't really going to add something, but what I'd like just to say is this, that we can see progress on all targets. However, it's not going fast enough. So even on the goals on water supply and sanitation, we need to accelerate 6 to 8 times to achieve you know, access, global access to everyone. So not saying that there isn't progress, but the progress isn't fast enough.

Thank you very much. And allow me to really thank this panel, my colleagues from UNEP, FAO, and IUCN, and of course Slovenia. So thank you very much. Big clap to you. And as we change the podium again, just reminding you that this report is very important because it does more than describe where we stand. It also helps us understand what needs to change if we are to accelerate progress in the years ahead. And again, exactly, summary is here. The report also provides a strong foundation for our final segment today, which looks forward to the 2026 UN Water Conference. The conference will be a critical moment to translate evidence, experience, and recommendations into stronger commitments and concrete action. We will now hear from the conference co-hosts and the co-chairs of the six interactive dialogues on how the messages emerging from the synthesis report can inform the preparation for December. And for this segment and to guide this discussion, it is my pleasure to welcome Ms. Meike van Genneken, Water Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Meike, over to you. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And let's get to work on the UN Water Conference 2026. Some of you have been sitting in this room since 3 PM. We need to wake up a little bit, and I would like to ask Her Excellency, the Minister of Water of South Africa, also known as my sister Pamy, to help us a little bit with some thunder. I'll stand up.

Make your hands free. Let those hands be free. Let the hands be free now. Clouds are gathering. Clouds are gathering. Clouds are gathering. Clouds are gathering. It's raining. It's raining. It's raining. It's raining. Thunder! Thunder! Double thunder! Double thunder!

Double thunder!

Thunder!

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Pemi, and thank you very much to all of you. I think that revived our energy for the last part of this session. The 2026 UN Water Conference starts 154 days from today. Don't want to stress you out, Mohammed and Shaima, but counting down. What we're going to do today is we're first going to hear from the co-hosts of the UN Water Conference, United Arab Emirates and Senegal, and then we'll have a as far as possible, free-flowing discussion in this room with the panel chairs on how far they are in the planning and how this relates to what we've heard in the first part of this session. So without further ado, I would like to invite Sharma Gargash and Dr. Mohammed Diatta to give us a few— a short introduction on where we are on the water conference.

Thank you. Thanks, Micah. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for being here. I know it's late in the day, but hopefully it'll be a very fruitful discussion and closing to the evening. As we gather to review and accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals at the annual High-Level Political Forum, it is wonderful that we are meeting today on SDG 6. As we are 6 months to the 2026 UN Water Conference. Water is life. It's a basic human right. It's the foundation for safety, stability, economic development, and opportunity for all. All of us here are very familiar with the critical fact that Sustainable Development Goal 6 is absolutely necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda. And without access to clean water and sanitation, Children cannot receive an education. Families cannot thrive. And every industry from energy to agriculture to technology and the growing AI sector cannot grow and support our communities. Almost 10 years after the adoption of SDG 6, we gather today to reflect on our collective progress and build momentum to finish the job that lies ahead. It's an honor to join colleagues and friends from across the globe today as we celebrate our achievements and progress to implementing SDG 6. Over the past decade, more than 961 million additional people have gained access to safe drinking water. But we are not naive about the scale of the challenge that remains before us. Today, 2.1 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, while nearly 4 billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least 1 month every year. And there is tremendous work to be done to ensure every child and every adult has access to clean water and sanitation. And there are complex geopolitical, financial, cultural, and multilateral considerations that make navigating this challenge even more nuanced. With less than 5 years to our goal for 2030, we are at an inflection point. Now is the time to accelerate our collaborations, scale our innovations, and operationalize our commitments. And the 2026 UN Water Conference presents that unparalleled opportunity to improve lives, restore ecosystems, and accelerate access to clean water and sanitation systems for all. In less than 6 months, the world will gather in Abu Dhabi for the first-ever UN conference dedicated exclusively exclusively to accelerating the implementation of SDG 6. Most astonishing is that this is only the third ever UN Water Conference. The UAE and Senegal are bringing together the world for a truly dedicated moment on water, and there is room and need for everyone to be involved in this process. We place inclusivity and co-creation at the heart of our process. And to us in the UAE, as co-hosts of the conference, this is an inclusive, collaborative process. It is more than just an event. The 2026 UN Water Conference is the opportunity to catalyze transformative and longstanding development and progress. And we are already breaking new ground with the 2026 UN Water Conference. It's the first where preparations began more than 2 years in advance. It is the first where the interactive dialogues, which we have expanded to, uh, to 6, we agreed by consensus before the conference. And for the first time, our 12 co-chairs were selected nearly 1 year in advance, giving them the time and space to build meaningful partnerships and ambitious results. 2 years ago, um, I attended HLPF for the first time to begin socializing the vision for the 2026 UN Water Conference alongside our colleagues from Senegal. And at that point, our modalities resolution had not even been adopted, yet we deliberately chose to engage early because we wanted this conference to be built through consultation, co-creation, and partnership. And this consultative process has laid a strong foundation for the conference. Almost one year ago, on 9th July, the UN General Assembly adopted the consensus The 6 themes of the interactive dialogues. At a time when confidence in multilateralism was being tested, water brought us together. This HLPF demonstrates just how far the international community has come, bringing together so many partners to showcase contributions and their aspirations to the future. And vital to this process are our 12 co-chairs guiding our interactive dialogues. Since the high-level preparatory meeting in Dakar earlier this year, we have embarked on a collaborative and ambitious process with our co-chairs to ensure an inclusive, action-oriented preparatory process that delivers practical, forward-looking outcomes and drives collective global action on water. Each co-chair has developed a clear work plan with priorities, milestones, and consultation process., which was shared with the international community during the 43rd UN Water Meeting in Rome this March. Since then, we have been working closely with the co-chairs to advance a select number of flagship initiatives for each interactive dialogue, and these initiatives are meant to be transformative, scalable, and innovative, and measurable, bringing together member states and diverse stakeholders around shared priorities to to drive meaningful and lasting impact beyond the 2026 UN Water Conference. You will hear more from our co-chairs today, and I encourage you to join our ministerial side event on 14 July here at UN headquarters, where we will share further updates on the preparations and the road to Abu Dhabi. We invite everyone here to join us on the 14th and to join us at the conference in December. This conference will bring together the most vital voices from governments, UN entities, international organizations, financial institutions, the private sector, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, academia, philanthropies, innovators, and technology experts, and youth, our future stewards. I encourage everyone to take every opportunity to engage with the, with the conference. Applications for side events and UN-accredited applications for special events are now open with a deadline of 31st July. Let us seize this opportunity to give water the attention it deserves on the global agenda, to set the path forward towards sustained, coordinated global dialogue and action on water, and together turn our shared ambition into lasting impact. Thank you.

Thank you, Sheyma. Thank you, Maike. UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, ministers, dear colleagues, I would like to thank you for convening this important session on SDG 6, just a few months ahead of the 26th UN Water Conference. As all you know, the world is on— off track to achieve the SDG 6 by 2030. Yet these challenges also present us with a unique opportunity to change the course. The 26th UN Water Conference must become the moment when international community collectively decide to accelerate implementation of SDG 6. Senegal, which have the honor to co-host the 26th UN Water Conference with the United Arab Emirate is committed to making it the conference of implementation. We know that everything has been said the past few years. Now is the time for implementation. Our ambition is to transform commitment into investment, partnership into measurable results, and solution into tangible improvement in people's Lives. SDG 6 is the greatest accelerator of the entire 2030 Agenda. Investing in water means investing simultaneously in health, food security, energy, sustainable cities, climate action, biodiversity, economic growth, and peace. In Senegal, this vision is being translated into action through ambitious reforms, but also we launched the Water Compact of Senegal 26-30, which sets out a priority investment pipeline aimed to strengthening water security, sanitation, climate, etc. The compact reflects our determination to connect water, agriculture, energy, and climate policies within a comprehensive development framework. Let's accelerate the progress toward SDG 6. This is why we believe that the 26th UN Water Conference should form part of a coherent political— together with the High-Level Political Forum that we are celebrating today, but also the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in '27 and the 28th UN Water Conference in Dushanbe. Such continuity will strengthen accountability, sustain political momentum, and ensure that implementation remains at the center of the global water agenda beyond 2030. The conference will also provide a unique opportunity to build a shared implementation agenda around the six interactive dialogues. Together, these dialogues show that accelerating SDG 6 requires integrated solutions, strong partnerships, and sustainable political leadership across the entire water agenda. Excellency, the time for diagnosis is behind us now. The time has come to build a renewed global water agenda based on cooperation, innovation, financing and action, inclusivity, inclusion, co-creation, integration, implementation, Accountability are keywords. Senegal reaffirms its full commitment to working with all member states and partners to ensure that the 26th UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi marks a decisive turning point in accelerating the implementation of SDG 6 and ultimately the achievement of the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Shaima and Mohammed. And of course, we also very happy to have Retno Marsudi, the Special Envoy for Water here, because organizing a UN conference is really a trio of good cooperation between the United Nations and the two co-hosting countries. I'm also very happy to have my brother from Tajikistan here, our co-hosts from 2023. I think these conferences show that if you do this well together, very different countries can become brothers and sisters, and that's also multilateralism. Good to see that the 2026 conference also put inclusivity, cross-sectorality, and action at the, at the center. It is conference of implementation. And what I understand is that it's not a conference with a negotiated outcome, but that these flagship initiatives are really at the core of the outcome. And hopefully we'll get our co-chairs of the interactive dialogues to already say a little bit what are the flagship initiatives and how can we join them. Because let's remember, they're only flagships if there's not too many of them. Otherwise they're just initiatives. To remind you, there are 6 interactive dialogues. They're numbered with letters. Interactive Dialogue A, Water for People, Ghana and Switzerland. Interactive Dialogue B, Water for Prosperity, China and Spain. Interactive Dialogue C, Water for Planet, Egypt and Japan. Interactive Dialogue D, Water Cooperation, Finland and Zambia. Interactive Dialogue E, Water in Multilateral Processes, Germany and Mexico. Interactive Dialogue F, Investment in Water, France and South Africa. We have most of these countries here. Most of the interactive dialogue chairs have agreed that one of the countries will speak for them, which helps me in keeping time. So thank you for that.

You—

some of us know that list and we're not surprised. Other of us here in this room are completely confused. What is this? Hopefully we'll to clarify that a little bit. So we've heard the SDG 6 synthesis report today, so we will ask interactive dialogue chairs to think what's relevant of that, what are the aspects of SDG targets that you will address, are these findings supporting the ideas being presented, and, as I said earlier, can you already reveal a little bit what you're thinking of interactive dialogues and how people can join. For all of this, we have 55 minutes, so I'm going to be a little bit strict, and I'm not going to do them in alphabetic order. I'm just going to pick on you, and I first want to give— it's not picking on Antti Rautovara, one of the very few other water envoys, special envoy for water in Finland, who will speak for Interactive Dialogue D Water for Cooperation. But maybe you can start by kicking us up on how are you— how's the Interactive Dialogue D Water for Cooperation that Finland and Zambia are co-chairing progressing? How do these findings that you've heard today relate? And can you give a peek preview of what you're working on in terms of flagship initiatives.

To be free-flowing, so I scrapped my notes and just to say that, you know, it was a very good example when we talked about the Synthesis Reports. The first one said that we are off target long ago, 6, 7 years ago. Then the second report said that we are alarmingly off target, and now the third report bridges beyond the Agenda 2030, and I think that's really important, and this linking the conference with the actual Synthesis Report findings is critical. What I'm reading in the report, it basically says that countries are delivering, but we are behind. That actually means, in other words, that we as a community are not meeting the responsibilities that we have in human rights to water and sanitation, at least not in full. So that makes me ask that, what do we need to do? So are we working all six parallel and they are separate? I don't think so. These are— we are 12 co-chairs here, but all of these discussions are very cross-pollinated and the topics are close to each other. So when I'm reading the synthesis report and looking at what we are trying to achieve in Abu Dhabi, it makes me think that there are 3 things that we really must nail this time around. The first one is the UN Water Governance Structure led by Mexico and Germany to discussion. This will give us some accountability mechanism at global level and the leadership what we are doing. Secondly, we need to have the rules-based system in place. We need to have the UN Water Convention, you know, really happy that Ireland was speaking. They are joining, acceding. So we need to have much more countries acceding to UN Water Convention. And this is probably the bread and butter of the discussion or dialogue discussion we have together with Zambia. So we have something that is very appealing name, 100 Parties Initiative. Who would oppose that? I tell more later on, so to give time also to other colleagues to respond. But I also want to say the third one, the third one, the financing. I think it's France and South Africa who are leading on that one, because the financing is lacking, and without financing we cannot meet the other targets that we are trying to achieve. So if we can unblock these three things first, —then everything else will follow. And in that way, we can realize the human rights to water and sanitation. I also then want to conclude and say actually the most important part of our dialogue: science cooperation inclusivity. So I think it's very fundamental that we hear the diverse voices and base the decisions on science, and that data must be— Public good and open science principles must be advanced. Indigenous and local knowledge must be heard and integrated into that data. And this is the only way we can make the decisions on our topics. I'll leave it there.

Thank you very much, Antti, and thanks for kicking us off in a very practical way. You know, something like the 100 Parties Initiative It's nice because it actually builds on something that already exists instead of adding new layers of initiatives, which we sometimes see with these big conferences. It's also practical, extending the number of parties and really focusing on the UN Convention we have on transboundary waters. So let's—

Let me also say one thing here.

Yes, one more thing from Antti.

Signing on site in Abu Dhabi, hopefully at least 8. Already several have signed this year, but we are also coming out with a declaration of interest which we hope to have many 2030 countries signing so that express their interest that they are starting to explore possibility to join the UN Water Convention and the rules-based order of our freshwater governance. Great.

So if you're not yet a member, a party to the Water Convention, go to Sämmiä, Finland, or Sonja is somewhere here, the Secretary of the Water Convention, and sign up now or do your— what was it called? Candidate membership. You had a nicer word for that, but sign up later. Great. Let's move to interactive dialogue number C, Water for Planet, and that's Egypt and Japan. We're sitting there brotherly together, and I understand that the intervention will be done by His Excellency Ambassador Ihab Mustafa Awad Mustapha, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations. I saw you before the football match, sorry.

But our position hasn't changed much since then.

Very happy to hear that.

Thank you very much, Mika, for moderating this session, and I'm happy to be here sitting with Professor Kenzo Hiroki, Japan as a partner, co-chair of the Interactive Dialogue titled Water for Planet. First of all, we welcome the release of the Secretary-General's SDG Synthesis Report. We believe that the report and the recommendations therein come at a very crucial point in the preparatory process for the 2026 UN Water Conference and beyond. As I said, Egypt and Japan, as co-chairs of Interactive Dialogue SEA, are currently looking at how on how we can use the report itself to inform the discussions at the water conference. We believe one of the key recommendations most directly linked to Interactive Dialogue C in the report calls to treat water as a systemic driver of sustainable development. This is the recommendation that best captures the spirit of interactive dialogue see, in our view, because it places water at the center of climate action, biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture, energy, health, urban planning, finance, and resilience. It frames water as the connective tissue of our planet, which it truly is, and that's exactly the approach we are taking in Framing Interactive Dialogue C. The report specifically calls for stronger, stronger cross-sectoral coordination for mainstreaming water in existing intergovernmental processes and for aligning water-related objectives, targets, and indicators across national plans and multilateral frameworks. This is a very important call that we are happy to see in the report. One of the key deliverables we would like to achieve in Interactive Dialogue C is to move from monitoring and planning to implementation. Data on water resources and ecosystems should not remain confined to reporting exercises, in our view. It must guide planning, regulation, investment, and decision-making so that development choices reflect ecological limits, long-term risks, and system sustainability. We believe that the 2026 and the 2028 UN Water Conferences together are a critical opportunity to translate data and evidence into implementation. The report calls for using these conferences to galvanize political will, reinforce partnerships and international cooperation, and align efforts behind national water and sanitation plans, financing strategies, and transboundary cooperation. This is exactly what we plan to do at Interactive Dialogue C in December. We are currently looking at tangible outcomes from the dialogue that can help achieve this goal in a practical manner. We will be informed by the discussion on SDG 6 during the HLPF, and we will take SDG 6 into perspective along the way till December. As a practical step in this direction, Egypt is launching next week a series of water dialogues named Water on 44th, and 44th here is the street where our mission is located. So the first of these dialogues will be held on Monday the 13th and will specifically focus on how SDG 6 can be linked to the outcomes of Interactive Dialogue C and how the 2020 6th UN Water Conference can contribute to the future of water and sustainable development beyond the expiration date of Agenda 2030. I look forward to participation of all here, and thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Ambassador, and thanks to Egypt and Japan for all the initiatives they're taking. Let's go to Water for People, Ghana and Switzerland, and they're represented here by Ambassador Christian Fruttiger, the Assistant Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Water for People, very small subject. What are you planning?

Very small subject indeed, and yes, we have had quite some conversations already, consultations. Next one will be also on Monday 13th at UNICEF House 115, together with Ghana and many of you, to pursue the conversations and looking forward to it. I'm slightly nervous right now because Switzerland is playing the round of 16 games at the at the World Cup right now against Colombia. And so I have an eye on the mobile phone, I have to admit, and it's 0-0 still. So anyway, interactive dialogue, one, it's a vast topic and I agree very much with Antti. We have to look at these across these interactive dialogues and come up with a few tangible conclusions, actionable conclusions on which we can work further. From the perspective of the Interactive Dialogue A, key takeaway obviously is that the water crisis is not primarily an infrastructure crisis anymore. It's increasingly about equity, governance, and resilience. Progress has been significant, but those left behind are still the same groups: women, girls, people living in poverty, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, displaced populations, and communities affected by conflict and fragility. So for Switzerland and Ghana, this points to the need for renewed commitment on the human rights to water and sanitation with a strong focus on participation, inclusion, transparency, and accountability. A second message is what matters equally are strong institutions, effective regulation, sustainable financing, adequate capacities, and reliable data. This becomes even more important as in the context of declining ODA and growing needs. We need to use resources more strategically, target those furthest behind and ensure that investments actually help reduce inequalities. At the same time, climate change disasters, conflict, and displacements are placing additional pressure on WASH systems. We therefore need stronger links between water, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and peacebuilding. In fragile settings, the humanitarian-development-peace nexus is critical. And finally, better data remain essential. One of the clearest findings of the SDG 6 reviews— review is that monitoring drives action. And yet important gaps remain, especially on inequalities and underserved populations. We want to leave no one— if we want to leave no one behind, we need better data to know who is actually being left behind and why. So as co-chairs of IDA, Switzerland and Ghana therefore encourage all participants and all interactive dialogues to reflect on one question: How do we make sure that the final push towards the— towards 2030 reaches those who are still excluded from safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services? Thank you. Back to you.

Thank you, Christian, and I have a follow-up question. This morning we heard Sir Rojja, the Director of the World Bank for Water, talk about the MDB initiative Water Forward, which certainly deserves the name flagship initiative because together the MDBs have pledged that over 1 billion people will be more water secure before 2030, so it very much is part of the last question you asked. It doesn't fit in one of these interactive dialogues because it's an integrated initiative. How do we deal with that? Are you taking that up? Is it into— how do these things that are happening around us fit into the planning of the flagship initiatives?

I think we all— Water Forward, we all take it, we all are taking it up, and Water Forward is taking our inputs up. And I think as, as these presentations also of Water Forward evolve with the national compacts, the national country led compact based on local needs, local realities, local capabilities. I think this is increasingly mutually beneficial. It also— Water Forward also becomes more nuanced, particularly on the big first pillar on water for people. It's not just about big urban infrastructures. It's about rural water supplies, and it's about the differentiated approach to financing. Yes, some will attract private sector funding. Other financing still has to be subsidized, particularly for vulnerable populations in rural areas, both with domestic resources being utilized, domestic budgets being utilized. We also heard that only 0.5% globally of domestic budgets are actually used for water, sanitation, and hygiene, or SDG 6 in general. So there is room for improvement also in domestic budgets and then international budgets. So we all have to take up Water Forward, and Water Forward has to take in our concerns as they've been doing so far.

Okay, I hear that we have one flagship initiative there and it will be renewed and better by the time it arrives in Abu Dhabi, so that's nice. Let's go to interactive dialogue number B, Water for Prosperity. China and Spain are leading on that and I understand that Xi Ying, Deputy Director General of Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Water Resources of China is here as well as Álvaro Díaz Duque, Deputy Director for Development Cooperation of Spain. The word is— the floor is yours.

So we have read through this synthesis report. We find it's a very comprehensive and very timely report. So with regards to ID2, Water for Prosperity, we think I think the recommendation that addressing water as systemic driver of sustainable development is highly consistent with the key focus of ID2. ID2, as I mentioned, is Water for Prosperity. Throughout the series of discussion during this preparatory process, we recognize that water is the most fundamental and essential resource for driving prosperity. It is the cornerstone and catalyst for economic, social, ecological, and health-related prosperity. Just now, my colleagues from Egypt also mentioned that this recommendation from the report is very relevant to IDC. I would like to elaborate from other perspective. First, The natural attributes of water determine that within a river basin, the various ecological elements— mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, grasslands, and deserts— along with the upstream, downstream, left bank, right bank, mainstream, and tributaries are closely interconnected and mutually dependent. They form an indivisible river basin life community. Therefore, we must treat water as the controlling elements of the ecological environments, take the river basin as the basic units, and implement systematic governance of rivers and lakes, and deepen the unified planning, governance, regulation, and management of river basins. And secondly, we should enhance cross-sectoral sectoral coordination that's been mentioned by several delegates this morning as well. The interconnected nature of water means that it flows through the entire spectrum of agriculture, energy industry, and urbanization. So as the report says, that water is the super connector. So practice has already proven that we must break down the institutional and regional barriers to form a synergistic and efficient governance framework. But how? By just sitting here and discuss? It's not enough at all. We can discuss for days, but we can exchange data and information, but still we cannot reach a consensus. So hereby, I would like to highlight the principle of balancing spatial distribution. By balancing spatial distribution, we would look at it from two aspects. The first aspect, on the one hand, we should align urban planning, land use, population distribution, and industrial development with available water resources. On the other hand, we must also optimize and adjust the spatial distribution of water resources through infrastructure and non-nature-based solutions to meet the needs of high-quality economic and social development. We cannot just blindly expand high-water consumption industries. For example, as the report also mentions, that a lot of countries pay a lot of attention to develop AI centers, digital centers, which consumes a lot of energy and water. But we could not blindly expand such kind of high water consumption industries without considering the carrying capacity of the water resources. Otherwise, it will also ultimately constrain economic development. So only by embedding water resources management into the decision-making stage of development planning can we ensure that all sectors finally can have water and water governance can be realized. Yeah, thank you.

Thank you. You want to add something, or I have— otherwise you get a question from me.

I said to add something, actually. I'm here, I'm from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But I'm here on behalf of our Ministry of Environment, so they would really— they really asked me to add something. I will try to be as short as possible. Okay, so of course it's a great honor for me to co-chair the Interactive Dialogue 2, Water for Prosperity, because we believe water is far more than a resource. It's a fundamental human right, a strategic asset, and a driver for prosperity, resilience, and social cohesion. For these reasons, Spain advocates for a systemic approach based on integrated management, circular economy principles, climate resilience, inclusive government, and sustainable financing, with the objective of delivering measurable progress towards SDG 6. During the preparatory meetings held in Dakar, Dusambi, and Paris, Spain emphasized the need to address water through an integrated approach, recognizing its close interconnections with ecosystems, climate, food production, and energy. Solutions such as water reuse, desalination, efficient water use, diversification of water sources, and innovative technologies will be essential to ensure water resilience for present and future generations. Together with China, we have presented a work plan aimed at strengthening integrated planning through national roadmaps and river basin management plans, restoring key ecosystems, and integrated water planning with sectorial planning in order to ensure an equitable and sustainable allocation of resources. Our priorities are clear. First, we must advance towards the full and effective implementation of integrated water resource management in line with Target 6.5 and Indicator 6.5.1. However, at the current pace, the world will not achieve the global target at least until 2049. To accelerate this process, we believe we must strengthen political leadership increase financing, improve cross-sector coordination, and reinforce the interlinkage between water, climate, energy, food systems, and ecosystems. Secondly, we must accelerate progress on water efficiency and circularity. Water use efficiency improved globally by 19.5% between 2015 and 2022, uh, yet average global water stress remains virtually unchanged at around 18%., with critical increases in regions such as North America and Western Asia. This calls for scaling up innovative technologies and practices, prioritizing investment in vulnerable regions, and improving basin-level and seasonal data collection. Thirdly, we must properly value water within the economy, finance, and investment frameworks. Closing the financing gap will require robust regulatory frameworks, innovative financing instruments, fair cost recovery mechanisms, stronger integration of water-related risks into, uh, sorry, into, uh, across sectors. This fully— this vision is fully aligned with high-level leaders' pact launched in Madrid last October. Finally, allow me to conclude by highlighting several transformative actions such as ensuring fair water allocation and valuation, promoting non-conventional water resources, modernizing the agri-food sector strengthening inclusive governance, mobilizing sustainable finance, and integrating the value of water throughout the entire economy. All of this must be underpinned by science, international cooperation, and the meaningful participation of women, youth, indigenous peoples, and other key stakeholders. Water for Prosperity requires commitment, collaboration, and ambition, and we stand ready to lead and contribute solutions towards a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous water future for all. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. Also a very big subject, and I know that in this room and outside of this room there's sometimes concerns whether water in agriculture or water for food gets sufficient attention in the way these interactive dialogues have been set up, and in a way you're, as Prosperity, also dealing with this. And I mentioned— I heard Álvaro Dias Duque just in the end mentioning modernizing the agri-food sector, also a small action. But can you— for people who are looking for to join or propose flagship initiatives around Water for Food and Water for Agriculture, can you— are you already thinking about that? Can they come to you? Because I think that's something— that we need to make sure that that part of our sector also feels a home in the UN Water Conference.

We have considered water for people and water for food in our ID too.

Especially water for food because water for people has its own IAD. You talk about industry but agriculture is such such a big water user and so determinant for water systems on the one hand, and on the other hand, water is so determinant for food security that especially that linkage, water and food production or water and agriculture, how are you dealing with that? Because you have a very big agenda, but how are you dealing with this part of it?

Our ID is really a very big topic. It covers a lot of areas, including the agriculture sector. So just my colleague from Spain mentioned that the agriculture sector is the biggest water consumer right now, and when we look at prosperity, we must look at agriculture industry and the urban development as well, so from all these sectors. So when we talk about agriculture, When we talk about all these water demands, we can find that there is a lot of competing water demands, so that's why I'm talking about this sectoral planning should be integrated. This is part of the picture, actually part of the action, and we think more importantly is that we should pay more attention to water conservation. Water, the total amount of water water is just there. Agriculture needs it, industry needs it, and the people need it. We all need to survive, but the total amount is just there. We cannot increase it. So that's why we need to increase water use efficiency. So actually, in our flagship initiative right now, between China and Spain, we're already discussing it. So we will include the— so like plans for water use conservation in our flagship initiative and to call for different sectors to increase their water use for the agriculture sector, industry, and other sectors as well.

Thank you very much. And I think water conservation is very important topic. And I also know that some people are actually thinking about working with industry and with agriculture on a water reuse target and how do that fit in also circularity as well. So if I look at those first interactive dialogues, it actually makes me happy because we launched a report this morning. We said there's quite a lot of progress, but we need that extra push to really get to 2030. And I heard a lot about what that extra extra push means for international waters, for water for people, for water for prosperity, for water for nature. But I also heard that all of this is not going to happen without money. And we have an interactive dialogue on investments in water, so I hope that that part of the puzzle will also be made. It's being co-led by France and South Africa. And the Minister of Water and Sanitation of South Africa. You saw and heard her earlier. Pamy Majudina is here to— I don't know whether you're going to speak French because you represent the French as well, but you are also very happy to do it in English. How are we going to get these investments into the water sector and what can Abu Dhabi do for us there? Madam Minister.

Bonjour. Thank you very much, Moderator. Let me appreciate the two co-hosts towards our well-spoken about UN Water Convention. It is important that I also greet all the ministers, deputy ministers, the ambassadors that are here. Ladies and gentlemen, South Africa is out of World Cup, but France is representing us there. All the countries that are still to play, you must be careful. If France lose, there will be no investment in water. ID6 is the mother of all other 5 IDs. When all is said, it must be funded. Sustainable water management needs biodiversity and climate resilience. If our infrastructure is not climate resilient, we'll invest and invest and invest. It means we have to think out of the box, come up with new methodologies and technology to say, how do we then meet climate change? —vis-à-vis the traditional infrastructure that we have been using for years, because it has since proven that it might not take us long. We have to attend to water pollution through our laws as member states, as it is becoming a big nightmare. Those countries that are on the upper stream, they must know that there are people in lower stream. If all of us, we commit that part of that funding will also be used in terms of monitoring and avoiding pollution, but also those who are polluting rivers, canals, They must be penalized and pay. We take that money back to the system. Because if we do that, each country will act very responsible. The transboundary relations are going to be very important towards our conference and after conference. For instance, if I may share that in SADC, South African Development Community, South Africa is sharing borders and water with 6 more countries: Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola. We share some water and make sure that that bring us together. We must be concerned about what is happening in country A because should there be a challenge, all of us are going to be affected. So we have to build strong relations based on our transboundary water. And let's allow water to flow. Water knows no political affiliation. Water knows no boundaries. It must be allowed to flow. And for it to flow, we must have clear, bankable projects. When we approach financial markets, when you approach the banks, we must approach them with our bankable project and say, this is how we want to develop our economies. This is how we want to develop our population. This is how we want to have sustainable water as well as healthy hygiene or hygienic sanitation. We must also make sure that as we enter into public-private partnership, we construct more water resources to have big storage capacity, to ensure that there is water security. There are countries and areas which used to have a lot of rain, but now of late we no longer get the rain that we used to get. So it means we need to do more in terms of building bigger storages to be able to have water. We must be robust on non-revenue water. In my country, for instance, we have water, but we don't have water. That might seem to be a contradictory statement. We have water in terms of raw water, bulk water supply, but when it comes to that water getting into the tap of residents, of citizens, that water is not there because of reticulation and distribution, which is done by another level of government, which is a local government. So it therefore means we must declare serious war on non-revenue. We cannot afford to lose a drop of water. The user pay policy must be adhered to by all water users. Previously, World Bank, Mr. Jah said, Water is a valuable asset, and nobody can just use water and not pay for water. When we use water, pay for water, but invest back to the water infrastructure if you are to have sustainable water throughout. We have to keep interlinkages. Between water, sanitation, electricity, human settlement or human development, as well as agriculture. These must go together so that when you do your planning, you make sure that these entities, they work together for us to be able to have this SDG 6 being achieved and realized moving forward. Because I have my co-host here, Franz, who is playing on my behalf there, can I give you my 2 minutes?

You want to give me your 2 minutes?

Yes. Okay.

I just wanted to say that we have a huge responsibility on our shoulders now in the World Cup. But we gladly represent South Africa and we'll also represent Egypt if you were to face Argentina in the final. Now, I wanted to first congratulate UN-Water for the launch of the fifth iteration of the SDG6 Country Acceleration Case Studies and for the new UN SDG6 Synthesis Report on Water and Sanitation. These materials here serve as a reminder that while some progress are made to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, an acceleration of our efforts is urgently needed if we want to be able to meet these global targets. I would like to highlight 3 points. First, we are pleased to see that the synthesis report dedicated one full chapter to the provision of data on evidence on water. Reliable data availability is key. In this regard, I would like to recall that during the One Water Summit in Riyadh in December 2024, co-organized by France, Kazakhstan, the World Bank, we launched the One Water Vision. This vision has brought together international organizations, research institutions, and academia to strengthen Earth observation, improve data sharing, and support evidence-based water resource management. Second, for implementation, we need resources. And let's be clear, SDG 6 implementation has notably been constrained by gaps in capacity and limited resources. This is why I'd like to fully support what my colleague Minister Penny Madjodina has just said today. We would like to insist on the full dedication of France and South Africa to prepare hand in hand the interactive dialogue on investments for water, finance, technology, innovation, and capacity building, which will take place at the UN 2026 Water Conference. While we are now conducting consultation of stakeholders, we will soon soon move to selection of various panelists for this dialogue. Thirdly, I would like to underline that water issues must not be addressed in silos. We need cross-cutting approaches. This is why, under the French presidency of G7, we build upon the achievements of recent G7 presidencies, including the launch of the G7 Water Coalition to affirm the shared— the G7 shared determination to prevent water pollution at source, with a focus on emerging pollutants, including plastics and chemicals. These interconnected approaches are highly important as we prepare for the next UN Water Conference and for the upcoming negotiation session of the Plastics Treaty. To finish, you can count on France standing alongside South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Senegal, and other partners to make of the UN 2026 Water Conference a success. Thank you. Thank you.

Very much.

Sorry, then clap for him.

Thank you. It's a seamless team, I can see. And thank you for highlighting not only the need for investment, but also the need for reliable data and data sharing, because being in the house of the UN here, that's under threat. Science and data are being questioned, and we shouldn't forget the role of the UN as a referee for good data and for equal access to data, maybe also worth a flagship or something at the UN Water Conference. Yeah, I mean, I think that the loss of the Netherlands against Morocco needs to be reframed as a strategic retreat because we don't want to be in the way of water investment and otherwise we would have to play France. Let's go, we still have one interactive dialogue to go and I kept it to the end. It's interactive dialogue E, water in multilateral processes, Germany and Mexico. Because it's of a slightly different nature, and it's very important to discuss it here at the high-level political forum because you have the interesting task to think about how do we anchor water within the multilateral system, whether it's the UN or the multilateral development banks or the regional multilateral systems beyond 2026. We already heard from Egypt about the next water conference in 2028, but Probably even more important beyond 2030 when a lot of our commitments, including the SDGs, at least for the moment, end. So we have Ilka Hirth, the Deputy Director General of International Affairs of the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection of Germany, very short ministry name, as well as your colleague from Mexico. Very happy to see Mexico here as well because sometimes you haven't been— represent in some of the meetings. So over to you with the same questions, starting with whoever you want to start with on, on the questions: what's in this report, do you already have ideas, and how can people contribute to your interactive dialogue? And I'm the timekeeper here, so you're the last one. I will give you some, some space, but we also need to finish on time. So please go ahead.

Thank you, Maike. And let me start by saying that Mexico and Germany are both soccer nations, but we're also out of the game. So, um, so we can only support each other in our sorrow, I guess, when it comes to soccer. But this gives us, of course, more energy and time to concentrate on our interactive dialogue. So there's always something good in bad things, actually. And no, but really, I must say, I want to start by saying how excited and honored we are to be able to co-share this dialogue together with Mexico. My minister went to Mexico to see Alicia Bárcena last month, and in order to kick off and start discussions how to do this and how to like have really good results, hopefully. And this is how we want to support Senegal and UAE in their endeavor. So I really want to start by this, and it's great. Our ministers really get along and we have a lot of hope for this. And I also want to thank the team Because now coming back to the report we're actually talking about, thank the team that prepared this SDG 6 synthesis report. As, for example, China mentioned, we also think it's very comprehensive and it really will be an excellent basis for all of our work in these coming— upcoming months. We think it really sends a clear message. There is a positive story to tell. SDG 6 has delivered results, but nevertheless, to fully implement it, we will need more time and also an accelerated pace of implementation. 8 times faster will be a hard thing to do, I guess. We do see a growing demand from member states to discuss water and sanitation at the heart of the UN, system. Meanwhile, we of course also have to keep in mind we have the UN AT process that is shaking up the UN system. I think I can be— I can say this here. We think that achieving SDG 6 requires us to cooperate better together, and UN AT requires us to cooperate more efficiently. And we think that both go hand in hand. Both is possible at the same time. It's not an either/or in our opinion, to start by that. So the 2026 UN Water Conference can be a conference of implementation. It provides us with a unique mandate to make water a real blueprint, in our opinion, for a UN system that can deliver. But this starts with us, with us, the member states, And we need to shape our ideas now on how to cooperate on water. And that's what we're doing, of course. We started— we started consultations. We've had some rounds, and in a few days, we will publish a first state of play report on our consultations. And meanwhile, of course, continue these consultations by focusing more and more on the input that we've had. For example, tomorrow we're organizing a stakeholder meeting here to have this special view of the stakeholders. But I think I cannot invite any more people because we have more than 100 people who want to come and only 50 places. So hopefully many of you are already registered. Registered for this event, but also at the UN— at the Stockholm Water Week, we also will continue these consultations. And now I want to highlight 3 recommendations from the synthesis report that do resonate quite well with the— with our ongoing consultations and where we think we can have that, that can inform the outcomes here. First, ensuring a steady intergovernmental process on water at the UN beyond 2030, as you already said, Maike, to keep water a priority on the global agenda. Such process could, of course, include agreed intergovernmental declarations, establishing regular UN Water Conferences with negotiated outcomes could be a way forward to strengthen coordination, monitor progress, and improve donor coordination. Member States' guidance on water supports, supports coherence and efficiency, and thereby also contributing to the UN AT initiative in our view. Secondly, strengthening UN Water as an enabler of joint delivery across the UN system. This, of course, may require a stronger institutional mandate, sustainable funding, obviously, and an enhanced coordination office to give water a clear voice within the UN system. And thirdly, enabling more structured and meaningful multi-stakeholder engagement and dialogue on water. This This recommendation really resonates with our consultations so far. There is a strong case for any intergovernmental process to be accompanied by well-structured participation. It's about stakeholders and rights holders as active partners and not as observers. We think they can help us find solution even when they criticize us. As governments, but it does help us to become better. As the matter is complex, of course, we will continue this discussion tomorrow in the stakeholder dialogue. So to sum it up, and I don't want to take so much more of your time, we do see a lot of coherence between the synthesis report and our preliminary findings. And let me share one observation And from the report, to end with, water emerges as a litmus test for multilateral reform. So I think this is very true, and we have no time to waste. The question is whether we as member states assume our responsibility here. Do we have the strength to build an intergovernmental process on water and enshrine it in a follow-up resolution, hopefully. So we really hope so, and we will do our utmost here to make this dialogue a success. Thanks a lot.

Thank you. Thank you very much to Germany and Mexico. And I think we have a call to action for other member states to join you. To wrap up this discussion, we go back to the TRI partnership that's actually behind this UN Water Conference. I would like to give the floor to Senegal, UAE, and to the Special Envoy on Water from the United Nations to do a few reflections before we wrap up. Mohamed, you are—

Thank you, Maike. Thank you to the co-chairs' country. And I would like to say that at this final stretch toward the conference, I would like to reassure you that We are on track for the UN Water Conference in December in Abu Dhabi. The 12 co-chairs' countries show a real commitment. They are very engaged and open, and we have a well-mobilized water community toward the conference. We have a real political leadership and a shared ambition for this conference. The co-hosts are very committed and engaged to deliver, to connect the dots, and to impact the SDGs and the global water agenda. We have a country, UAE, already ready to welcome you and to host an ambitious and historic UN Water Conference. Let's work together at this final stand to deliver for the water community and give hope for these people who don't have access to water and sanitation. It's a duty for us. Thank you.

I know you're all tired. And so just a short message and building on what Diatta has said, the conference in Abu Dhabi is really a conference for all. Your participation is encouraged, not at any level, but at all levels, especially at the highest. We are here to determine the future together of water, and without you, we will not be able to design the future we all strive for. And so we look towards you for alignment, for complementarity and implementation, to showcase it at the conference in Abu Dhabi, but really design the roadmap of our future for our youth in the coming years. And so your role is extremely important. And throughout this journey, please onboard as many as you can. You are ambassadors through this journey and we welcome you all in Abu Dhabi. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much, Retno.

Thank you, Michael. I have nothing to say on football because there is no UN team on the World Cup and there is no Indonesian team in the World Cup as well. So colleagues, thank you very much for this discussion. Thank you to co-hosts, to co-chairs. I think I have to comment all the preparation. I listen very carefully. Fully to all the preparation, especially the flagship from each interactive dialogue. We still have 6 months to crystallize the flagship, so hopefully, and I do believe that at the end of the process in Abu Dhabi, we will be able to present the real flagship of each interactive dialogue. As mentioned by Kojos and all of us, that this conference is an action-oriented conference, so the actions will be the beef of the conference. So let us work together to bring the beef to our people. And this is a UN conference, so it is the duty of the UN to work with the co-hosts, with the co-chairs, with you all. Eschema, Mr. President mentioned, it is a conference for all. So let us work together, and I stand ready, UN stands ready to work with you all. I thank you very much. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much for the energy in this room, for many things. We have a few flagship initiatives that are semi-cooked, to stay in the beef area, such as the 100 Parties Initiative around the UN Water Convention, the Water Forward initiatives of the MDBs. We also still have some cooking to be done. We have 154 days. Great thing is that in the coming 7 days there are sessions on all these interactive dialogues, so mobilize, go there. And I think this is a conference of action and a conference of consolidation of a lot of initiatives, no? In Dushanbe, I said on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that we pledge not to have individual initiatives from my country, and the Netherlands loves individual initiatives of my country, so that's difficult for us, and I really call upon all of you, leave your little flag of your own country at home, think about United Nations, think about how we join in these flagship initiatives, how we work together and we actually make sure that we do better and more efficient. That's true for water use, but it's also true for international cooperation. So with that, enjoy the rest of the day, take part in the different agenda missions, and I hand back to our overall moderator.

Thank you very much, and please, please stay seated because it's not over yet. It's not over yet. Thank you so Thank you so much for our wonderful moderator, Meike, and the wonderful panel. Thank you also for reminding us that sometimes there is no need to reinvent the wheel. We already have some tools. One is the UN Water Convention. UNICEF is servicing it and hosting it. So we are 59 parties at the moment with Finland. You have heard this initiative, 100 parties. UNICEF, I'm here, Sonia is here this week. So let's do something practical. If you look for us, we will help you with getting closer, whether it's accession or just a commitment to accede shortly is always welcome. Last but definitely not least, and proudly from my region, UNICEF, I have the pleasure to welcome His Excellency Yonibek Ikmat, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations. Before I give you the floor, I would also like to congratulate Tajikistan for a wonderful event last week, a few weeks ago, on the 4th Dushanbe Action Conference for Water. It was a success, so congratulations for that. And over to you for concluding remarks.

Thank you. Thank you so much, Madam Moderator. Distinguished colleagues, like in football— I love football, I support Netherlands. Unfortunately, this—

yeah, that's what co-organizing a water conference does with you.

So, but like in football, one— a match cannot be won by one player. Argentina is an exception, okay? But here, I mean, I would really like to thank our co-hosts of the Interactive Dialogues, co-chairs of the Interactive Dialogues led by our co-hosts, UAE and Senegal. I see a great team. It takes me back to our time in 2023. This is how we managed to build the synergy. I think you are a good team. You have full confidence and trust of the entire UN membership. And you are under the leadership of a great co-host, UAE, and in Senegal, we hope that you will succeed and we will all succeed because we are all together in the same boat. So we either succeed together or we fail, but failing is not an option because We have heard— we had a really great interactive session today in the morning on SDG 6, and we have heard from different— from academia, from World Bank, and from UN member states, of course from Madame Special Envoy, about the opportunities, challenges. But I would really like— want us to to focus on opportunities because indeed 2026, it's a great milestone for us as a water family and water community to make sure that we learn our lesson and we move from towards more implementation because commitments are there. But now it's the right time to move to commitments. And also today we heard about the accountability. Accountability is very important, but we need as a government, as we heard today in the morning, we need to take the first step. That's very important. Once again, I really would like to thank you and please join us for our side event on 9th of July in CR5. From 1:15, where we will talk about outcomes of the Dushanbe Water Process. Thank you very much.

Thank you, everybody, for being here. Thank you all for your participation, and thank you to the Secretariat for organizing this meeting. Thank you. Thank you.