Access to water and sanitation is a human right [fr]

Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen Heads of State and Government
Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers,

I thank the President of the UN General Assembly for organizing this high-level meeting dedicated to water. Unfortunately, all the indicators are with the reds and we will not be on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.

The potential of access to water and sanitation and sustainable resource management can strengthen the resilience and sustainability of our societies. The current pandemic reminds us of the crucial role of hygiene in disease prevention. Lack of access to water and sanitation is directly responsible for waterborne diseases that kill more than 800,000 people worldwide each year. Access to water and sanitation is a human right. And along with resource conservation, it underpins the fight against poverty, gender inequality, health risks, and food and energy insecurity.

With its new ten-year international strategy for water and sanitation, France, the fifth largest donor in the sector, contributes 8% of the world’s official development assistance to the sector. Through the actions of the French Development Agency (AFD), the Water Agencies and local authorities, or its contribution to the Green Climate Fund, France promotes a cross-cutting, integrated and multi-sectoral approach.

The preservation and sustainable management of water is also a question of peace and security. This is particularly true in transboundary basins, which represent 60% of the world’s freshwater resources. Cooperation for transboundary water management, target 6.5.2 of the 2030 Agenda, must be strengthened. To help States make water sharing and management a tool for cooperation, peace and resource preservation, an equitable multilateral framework with quality expertise is needed. This is why France is actively promoting the Helsinki and New York conventions on transboundary waters.

But global water governance is not up to the task. This political dialogue conducted under the aegis of the United Nations must be strengthened. The mid-term review of the Decade on Water for Development to be held in 2023 is a tremendous opportunity. France calls for the organization of an ambitious conference, focused on dialogue, the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the strengthening of the commitment of States. In this respect, I would like to commend Germany’s efforts in organizing the Bonn Water Dialogues, in which France is fully involved and whose results will be a valuable contribution.

In this perspective, France also supports Senegal in organizing the World Water Forum.

It is no longer time for observations, but for action. Let’s work together, let’s dialogue, let’s commit ourselves to make concerted management of water resources and universal and sustainable access to water and sanitation a reality.

Thank you.