St. John¡¯s, Antigua and Barbuda
¡°Blue Resilience: Navigating Water Challenges In Small Island Developing States¡±
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to address you in my capacity as the Conference Secretary- General of SIDS4.
I would also like to thank the Dominican Republic, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Republic of Tajikistan, for organizing this valuable session.
A little more than a year ago, at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, the international community acknowledged that we are faced with a global water crisis.
If left unchecked, this crisis will make the Sustainable Development Goals impossible to achieve.
Human activity has led to an imbalance in the hydrological cycle.
Climate change has increased the frequency of extreme water-related weather events and impacts ¨C from melting glaciers and sea-level rise to frequent drought and intense rainfall - affecting lives and livelihoods.
The hydrological impact is especially pronounced in small island developing States.
The increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather and geological events, such as cyclones, floods and landslides, lead to the destruction of water infrastructure and contamination of their water supply.
SIDS have reaffirmed these and other water-related threats in the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) that they will adopt at this conference. The ABAS also outlines the role that the international community must play in overcoming the challenges
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the ABAS, SIDS recognize the centrality of water to a resilient future.
Securing that future calls for urgent and immediate action to build capacity for observation and management across the entire hydrological cycle.
First, resilience and adaptation to climate change is crucial for water security.
For SIDS, climate finance is key.
Second, support for effective weather observation and prediction is critical for water stability in SIDS. This includes development of early warning systems and automated observation systems, including global observation networks.
Third, integrated water resources management needs to be strengthened. This requires adjusting or developing the necessary governance structure and procedures for integrated planning and policymaking across sectors.
Finally, science-backed and data driven policies, technology and innovation should form the backbone of any action towards SDG 6 implementation.
But as we know, colleagues, the complex challenges in SDG 6 implementation cannot be accomplished by any country on its own.
The international community is committed to cooperation on water.
This sentiment is reflected well in the Water Action Agenda¡ªA main outcome of the 2023 Water Conference.
However, there are gaps remaining to be bridged.
Many countries did not make commitments and the involvement of local authorities is lacking.
In addition, the financial commitments made within the Water Action Agenda amount to nearly 77.2 billion US dollars. But many pledge holders highlight limited financing and technical expertise and inadequate legislation and governance structures as obstacles to the implementation of their commitments.
The UN family can play an integral role in supporting countries to build the capacities needed.
The first ever UN System-wide strategy for Water and Sanitation is advancing this work, building on the diverse expertise available within the UN development system.
Excellencies,
We have the solutions, the means and the knowledge to push the achievement of SDG 6 for SIDS.
What we need is act now and together.
Thank you for your attention.