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Benedito Braga, President of the World Water Council, during his speech at the UN High Level Political Forum

On 17 July, 2018, the World Water Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil co-convened a side event on the outcomes of the 8th World Water Forum during the UN’s 2018 High Level Political Forum in New York. The President of the World Water Council, Prof. Benedito Braga, gave the opening remarks together with Ms. Christianne Dias Ferreira, President of the Brazilian National Water Agency (ANA) and Barbara Hendrie, Regional Director of UNEP North America, who stated that “The World Water Council is a shining example of how global cooperation between stakeholders from different spheres can galvanize action on a critical agenda. We need everyone to support this sort of global cooperation and this sort of global leadership.”

Subsequently, Ricardo Andrade, Director of the 8th World Water Forum presented the overall outstanding results and impressive figures of the 8th World Water Forum. He was followed by Paulo Salles, Director of ADASA, who detailed the successful experience of the Citizens Village, an innovative and interactive space open freely to all, where visitors were given the opportunity to learn about emerging water issues and potential solutions. The outcomes of the Political Process were introduced by Reinaldo Salgado, Chair of the Political Process from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, while Danielle Gaillard-Picher, Director of Policy and Programs for the World Water Council detailed the Thematic and Regional Process outcomes.

Finally, Bai Mass Tal, on behalf of the organising committee of the 9th World Water Forum, issued an open invitation to all participants to join forces towards the next World Water Forum, which will be held in Dakar, Senegal in 2021.

“The World Water Council continues to strive to bring water to the top of both political and societal agendas in order to catalyze change,” said President Braga. “We hope that the World Water Forum may continue to catalyze this change process, positioned at regular intervals over time, like stepping stones on the path to sustainability.”

The next rendez-vous to discuss the outcomes of the 8th World Water Forum and the preparation of the 9th Forum will be at the World Water Week in Stockholm, during a showcase event on Thursday 30 August.

Click here to view the video of the event.

For more information on the 8th World Water Forum, read the new 8th World Water Forum Highlights document.

Outcomes of the 8th World Water Forum presented at UN High Level Political Forum

On 17 July, 2018, the World Water Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil co-convened a side event on the outcomes of...

On 9 July 2018, water stakeholders, advocates, and country delegates came together to appraise progress on Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of Water and Sanitation for all (SDG 6) during the High Level Political Forum at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Following a presentation of the status of SDG 6 and an introduction to the 2018 Synthesis Report on Water and Sanitation by UN Water, member states and representatives of major groups and other stakeholders discussed the progress and the challenges faced in achieving the Goal.

Panellists and speakers emphasized the urgency of the current water crisis and the fact that, despite efforts, the world is off track in achieving water and sanitation for all by 2030. Danilo Türk, Chair of the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace and former President of Slovenia, stressed the need for strong political understanding and leadership, as well as improved cooperative mechanisms. Claudia Sadoff, Director General of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), added that “the water crisis is a water governance crisis in many ways.”

Some issues emerged recurrently during the discussion, such as the importance of investmens and financing of infrastructures; the need for political will and commitment; the pivotal role of partnerships and international cooperation, and the matter of security and peace. The participants also evoked the synergies between water and the other SDGs and the importance of data and information sharing to successfully monitor progress.

The World Water Council will be present throughout the HLPF through its booth “Water Connects” and through the co-organization of a side event with Brazil at 18:30 on 17 July presenting the outcomes of the 8th World Water Forum.