HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESS BRIEFING BY BRENDEN VARMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MIROSLAV LAJČÁK

WATER ACTION DECADE LAUNCHED AT U.N. HEADQUARTERS

• The “International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development” has now been launched. It will last from now until the year 2028.
• Although the President was supposed to launch it himself, his flight back to New York was cancelled due to yesterday’s snow. Therefore, General Assembly Vice President Mahmoud Saikal delivered a statement on his behalf.
• In that statement, the President noted that there are 76 drinking water fountains and nearly 500 toilets in this building. No one in this building will go thirsty – or risk their dignity, or safety, to meet their basic human needs.
• But, around the world, billions are without a basic toilet. Millions lack access to safe drinking water. Hundreds of thousands of children are dying from water-related illnesses.
• The President’s statement cited population growth, water-intensive economic activity, changing rainfall patterns, and competition for water, as very real and growing dangers.
• He added that attendees had gathered in the General Assembly Hall to confirm that all people have a human right to safe drinking water and sanitation.
• But he called for much more action – including on national budgets and policies, cooperation on water management, and investment in water.
• Twelve high-level speakers participated in today’s launch – including the President of Tajikistan.
• Also speaking in the opening segment was 13-year-old water activist Autumn Peltier, who comes from Canada’s First Nations.
• Meanwhile, the Office of the President will be projecting water-related images and messages on the United Nations building today and tomorrow, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The projections will be able to be seen from 1st Avenue near 44th Street.

ZERO DRAFT RESOLUTION ON U.N. DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM CIRCULATED

• The co-facilitators for the repositioning of the United Nations development system have circulated a zero draft resolution.
• This is in relation to the quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR), which assesses United Nations operational activities for development.
• The third informal consultations on this matter will be held tomorrow.
• The co-facilitators were appointed by the President. They are the Permanent Representatives of Algeria and Denmark.