Our Watershed moment: Uniting the World for Water | Information Session

About the Information Session on the UN 2023 Water Conference

The UN 2023 Water Conference will be convened from 22 to 24 March 2023 in New York. The co-hosts of the conference, Tajikistan and the Netherlands are committed to ensuring the event is inclusive, action oriented and cross-sectoral. During this first UN conference on water since 1977, participants will consider the integrated management of water resources for the achievement of social, economic and environmental objectives, the implementation and promotion of related programmes and projects, as well as on the furtherance of cooperation and partnerships at all levels. General Assembly resolution A/RES/73/226 established the UN 2023 Water Conference and resolution A/RES/75/212 details its modalities.

An information session on the UN 2023 Water Conference will take place on 7 April 15:00 – 17:00 for UN-Water as well as the Permanent Missions in Geneva. The Conference co- hosts will present their visions for 2023 while providing updates on the Conference and its preparatory process. The information session will create an opportunity for dialogue among the Permanent Missions in Geneva to communicate and exchange insights on the preparations for the UN 2023 Water Conference.

Proposed agenda

Master of Ceremonies: Ms Kelly Ann Naylor, UN-Water Vice-Chair

15:00 – 15:10 Welcome remarks           

• Mr Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of WMO
• Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo, UN-Water Chair
• Mr Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social

Affairs and Secretary-General of the UN 2023 Water Conference (virtual)

15:10 – 15:20 Opening remarks

• H.E. Mr. Paul Bekkers, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations Office at Genev
• H.E. Mr. Jamshed Khamidov, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva

15:20 – 15:50 Presentation on the UN 2023 Water Conference and its preparatory process by the Conference co-hosts

• Mr Sulton Rahimzoda, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, Co-Chair of the Dushanbe Water Process, and Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Water and Climate Coalition Leaders
• Mr Henk Ovink, Special Envoy International Water Affairs for the Kingdom of the Netherlands

15:50 – 16:10 Regional Preparatory Meetings and Stakeholder Engagement

• Mr Ziad Khayat, Economic Affairs Officer, Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability, UN ESCWA
• Ms Naiara Costa, Senior Sustainable Development Officer, Outreach and Partnerships Branch, Division for Sustainable Development Goals of UN DESA (virtual)

16:10 – 16:55 Q&A

Three guiding questions for this session are as follows:

• What would constitute a successful UN 2023 Water Conference?
• How could the UN 2023 Water Conference appeal to all actors to put forward ambitious voluntary commitments?
• What could your organization or country commit to in March 2023?

16:55 – 17:00 Closing remarks

• Mr Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of WMO
• Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo, UN-Water Chair