Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly
Geneva,
October 18, 2021
Excellencies,
Thank you for the invitation to address the 4th Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Congress.
Water is life, and access to adequate and clean water and sanitation is a basic human right.
UNICEF reports that globally, more than 1.42 billion people, including 450 million children, live in areas of high-water vulnerability. This means that 1 in 5 children worldwide does not have enough water to meet their everyday needs.
Water extremes affected by climate already contribute to the migration and displacement of millions of people.
In 80 per cent of households with water shortages, women and girls are responsible for water collection. This often means travelling long distances and carrying heavy loads, in some cases with a high risk of violence. The time required can pull girls out of school and leave women with fewer options to earn an income.
It is reported that women and girls around the world spend a collective 200 million hours every day collecting water.
My friends, in no context is this okay. We must do better.
As an advocate for gender equality, I am encouraged to learn that women’s empowerment will be discussed on the first day of the 4th Congress.
Excellencies,
From cities to small towns, water operators play a critical and indispensable role in providing these essential services. Support for this group, whether in access to new technologies or in skills enhancement, is crucial.
Multi-stakeholder coordination and collaboration at all levels is necessary to support management and development of water and sanitation-related infrastructure and services.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that water is a cross-cutting issue and supports the achievement of all other SDGs. Put simply, we can expect little to no progress on education, on jobs, on healthcare, or on the environment should we not first assure that we have access to water and sanitation.
I call upon the international community to support efforts to provide resources and capacity building to communities that have long been deprived of the privilege to clean water and sanitation.
I thank you again for this opportunity and I wish you all a successful Congress.
Throughout our disarmament efforts, it is my conviction that women and youth can make a meaningful contribution. Let us take special pains to ensure that women and youth, as well as civil society, are more actively engaged in this work going forward.
