I am pleased to greet this important meeting on water and health.
 
Safe water and sanitation are basic human rights.
 
Yet they are not a reality for all.
 
And the climate crisis is adding to the stress.
 
Water resources are also threatened by poor sanitation, causing the spread of disease and affecting the most vulnerable.
 
This is why I made a global call to action for water, sanitation and hygiene in all health care facilities by 2030.
 
The Protocol on Water and Health supports this objective.
 
It is also assisting countries in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
As we enter the Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs, I urge all countries to ratify the Protocol and strive for its full implementation.
 
Thank you.