Remarks by the President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly
H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang
at the 2026 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Water Conference, Multi-Stakeholder Preparatory Meeting
Monday, 9 July 2025
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by commending the co-hosts and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs for their leadership in preparing for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
Excellencies,
We remain guided by our commitment to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
While it is an essential ingredient for our very existence, far too many communities and regions are plagued by:
- Water scarcity;
- Water pollution;
- Unequal access to safe drinking water and sanitation;
- And the growing impact of water-related disasters driven by climate change.
We must act with urgency to address these concerns:
- To increase water-use efficiency across all sectors
- to implement integrated water resources management at all levels
- And to protect water-ecosystems.
Throughout these efforts we must be guided by a commitment to climate action, and a focus on protecting vulnerable communities, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Excellencies,
The six themes of the interactive dialogues of the 2026 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Water Conference reflect the complexity and comprehensiveness of the issue we are dealing with.
And I particularly welcome the inclusion of a new theme: Investments for Water.
This focus on financing, technology, innovation, and capacity-building is a timely and necessary addition.
Aligned with the commitments contained in the Pact for the Future and its annexes, as well as our collective endeavour in the outcome of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, we can bring forward global transformation for humanity.
I urge all stakeholders to place water at the heart of discussions across the United Nations agenda.
The active participation of academic institutions, civil society, and the private sector will be critical.
Your engagement can raise awareness and help deliver practical solutions to the global water crisis.
As we look ahead, I express my full support for a smooth and inclusive preparatory process, leading to a successful United Nations Water Conference in 2026 in the United Arab Emirates.
This Conference will be an opportunity to take stock, strengthen coordination, and advance concrete action.
Let us use it to deliver meaningful progress for the people and the planet.
I thank you.
___
Media Contacts
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org
Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations, M: +1 917 3614990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org
More Information and Updates?: Website: ???: ?: ; Weekly Highlights
Resolutions of the 79th Session ¨C Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly