17 March 2023 - In 1977, world leaders, water experts and policymakers from around the world gathered in Mar del Plata, Argentina, for the UN Water Conference. Almost 50 years later, the global community will come together from 22 to 24 March in New York for the second ever UN 2023 Water Conference.

By nature, water connects different environments, peoples and sectors. But growing demands for water, coupled with poor water management, have increased water stress around the world. Meanwhile, the effects of worsening climate change are often felt through water, in the form of floods or droughts. Something has to change.

Halfway into the Water Action Decade, our progress on water-related goals and targets remains alarmingly off-track, jeopardizing the entire sustainable development agenda.

The UN 2023 Water Conference will put water into the spotlight and onto global agendas. It seeks to mobilize States, the UN system and stakeholders alike to share and exchange knowledge, challenges and best practices, and forge new partnerships across sectors. Governance, innovation, data and financing all have a role to play in accelerating water action.

The Conference aims to help everyone better understand, value and manage water and take concerted action to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets. Water can be the dealmaker for the Sustainable Development Goals, and in turn for the health and prosperity of people and planet. Water action can increase food security and equality between genders, water action keeps children in school, communities at peace and nature healthy.

While briefing the General Assembly on his priorities for the year, Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the need for water action and that we must “act decisively before it is too late”.

The time is now. The UN 2023 Water Conference is the once-in-a-generation opportunity to act for water.

Learn more about the UN 2023 Water Conference here, access the latest media advisory and sign up to get regular event updates here.

Ahead of the Conference, join UN DESA’s Global Policy Dialogue event on “Indigenous and youth solutions for clean water” on 9 March at 9 am EST and be inspired by some of the water action already taking place. Get more details here and register to join: https://bit.ly/dialogue9march