PGA Remarks at the High-Level Meeting of the Tenth World Water Forum

Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. Dennis Francis,
at the High Level Meeting of the Tenth World Water Forum

[As Delivered]

20 May 2024

 

Your Excellency, Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia,

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

It is an honour for me to join you today – here in this beautiful City of Bali – to participate in the tenth World Water Forum.

 

I extend my gratitude to both the Government of Indonesia and the World Water Council for co-hosting this most important convocation – and for their gracious invitation.

 

Let me also express my deep appreciation to the authorities and people of Indonesia for their gracious hospitality and for the warmth of their reception, so expertly on display last evening at the welcome dinner, featuring the vivacious energy and dynamism of the youth of this richly diverse nation.

 

Your visionary leadership in championing the Global Water Agenda recognizes that although water manifests through its availability or lack thereof locally, it is, in fact, a global resource gifted to us by nature, the distribution of which is a matter of geography and climate, and increasingly, in contemporary times, a matter of climate change.

 

As we convene amidst the lush green landscapes and seascapes of enchanting Bali, inevitably we are reminded of the very essence of water – as the source of all life on this planet and indeed, as a lifeline that transcends borders, cultures, and belief systems.

 

Under the theme of “Water for Shared Prosperity,” we gather to deliberate on practical ways to foster better, efficient and integrated management of the planet’s increasingly scarce water resources in order to drive and support sustainable development rather than impairing it.

 

Building upon the impressive momentum achieved during the March 2023 UN Water Conference, which mobilized more than 800 commitments, compiled through the Water Action Agenda – I am hopeful that this Forum will meaningfully boost progress in international cooperation, and in the formulation and implementation of concrete actions to stabilize the medium to long term availability and management of water and indeed, of the inter-governmental relationships that are key to guaranteeing sustainable outcomes.

 

It is important that our efforts to better manage water resources are synergized with the broader agenda of achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, all of which will be impacted by the availability of water.

 

Excellencies,

 

The undisputable reality is that we are facing a myriad of interconnected and complex challenges – among them climate change, and water scarcity and in many cases across the globe, water contamination, which itself imposes the additional problem of challenges to health, and possibly therefore, to life.

 

Pragmatism dictates that as an international community we do everything necessary and desirable to avoid water becoming a flashpoint for disagreement and open conflict. Bearing in mind that we are living at a time when the ease with which peace can be disrupted, and once disrupted, the difficulty of restoring it suggests that we must take all necessary precautions to avoid further imperilling it. Investment in water is therefore investment in sustainable development; but investment in global water cooperation constitutes an investment in peace, as indeed in the long-term stability of the water supply.

 

Success therefore demands that we unite in common purpose and act strategically to surmount these challenges and to fortify and guarantee our resilience – recognizing that water cooperation initiatives are absolutely essential to creating a world of prosperity that is at the same time, water-secure and peaceful.

 

Over the coming days, let us address the bottlenecks in our implementation – and explore innovative solutions that harness the transformative power of water as a catalyst for peace, solidarity, and shared prosperity.

 

Through its six sub-themes, this Forum affords us an opportunity to take stock of our progress, raise awareness, and exchange views on how best to leverage water as a driver of sustainable development – rather than as a driver of conflict and confrontation among States.

 

One definitive approach lies in collaborative innovation – which holds huge potential for unlocking the full potential of our water resources.

 

By adopting innovative financing models and leveraging technological advancements, we can enhance our capacity to manage food and energy consumption sustainably – thereby also paving the way for a brighter future for generations to come.

 

I urge each one of you to seize the opportunity before us to forge connections, share insights, and galvanize collective action towards building a water-secure and sustainable world.

 

Mindful that in many parts of the world the oceans and seas are the main supply of water, we must pay attention to the condition and circumstances of our oceans.

 

In this regard, I should like to emphasize that a cornerstone of my Presidency lies in spotlighting the dire threats posed by sea-level rise.

 

This looming spectre represents not merely a challenge – but a real threat to the safety, security, and survival of Small Island Developing States and low-lying coastal communities.

 

What is at stake could well be the inundation and loss of territory on the part of these vulnerable countries, not to mention the potential loss of culture and heritage that would accompany their submergence.

 

Given the fragile nature of their economies, and the fact that they did not cause the problem of climate change, it seems correct, as a matter of ethics and principle, that they should receive the support and cooperation of the international community in coping with the challenges resulting from sea-level rise.

 

At my initiative, the General Assembly has taken bold and decisive action towards building momentum for urgent and targeted redress – notably through the decision to convene a high-level plenary meeting on sea-level rise on September 25, 2024.

 

My hope is to see today’s Water Forum outcomes being leveraged at this high-level plenary meeting and the much-anticipated Summit of the Future, also in September.

 

Let us seize upon these momentous events as clarion calls to action – igniting decisive measures to champion our water agenda, while also combating the imminent crisis of sea-level rise.

 

Excellencies,

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

As I close, let us draw inspiration from the Balinese philosophy and channel the spirit of Tri Hita Karana throughout the World Water Forum – recognizing that water is not only a source of physical sustenance, but also a sacred element that binds humanity to the rhythms of nature; also fostering harmony between humanity and the environment.

 

Together, in harmony with ourselves and our environments, we can overcome the challenges we face and navigate towards a secure future where water becomes a true source of solidarity, unity, prosperity, and peace.

 

I look forward to the outcomes of this Forum and retain high confidence in its significant contribution to the UN water agenda – particularly, in informing the deliberations leading up to the UN Water Conference scheduled for 2026.

 

I thank you. 

 

___

 

 

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