Your Excellences, Distinguished Colleagues, Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Hungary welcomes this discussion about connecting freshwater with salt water. Water connects us all. This has been the motto of the Budapest Water Summit of 2013 and 2016, reflecting Hungary’s engagement in linking policy makers to all stakeholders, who are active in the international water arena, including on strengthening the science policy interface.
Water is our most critical natural asset, as much as an enabler and inter-connector of development. It is widely present in history, science, arts and in all aspects of everyday life. Water is a game changer and can make a real difference for a sustainable future!
As co-moderator of the Working-Level Dialogue under the auspices of the President of the General Assembly on improving the integration and coordination of the work of the United Nations on the water-related SDGs, I am pleased that UN-Water participated at both dialogue meetings. UN-Water enriched the discussion especially on ways in which the current coordination mechanism could be strengthened.
We had a high-level first water dialogue on 22 March, on World Water Day with H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, President of the General Assembly and H.E. Dr. Han Seung-soo, UN Special Envoy on Disaster Risk Reduction and Water. The co-founders of Water.org Matt Damon and Gary White sent a video message.
Our first panel considered the implementation of the water related SDGs by addressing challenges and seizing opportunities through strengthening cooperation and partnerships. The second panel addressed the role of the UN system in improving the integration and coordination to support the Member States and other relevant stakeholders in the implementation and follow-up of the water related SDGs.
After the second successful dialogue that we just held with Tajikistan in the Trusteeship Council on 30 May, we are seeking guidance by the President of the General Assembly on possible next steps. It is clear that there is willingness by Member States to continue the dialogue in some form. I am promoting mutual understanding by looking at convergences when bridging positons and working towards solutions.
Regarding the science-policy interface, Hungary has been in the forefront of raising the profile of water in the scientific community through organizing and co-hosting the World Science Forum with UNESCO from the very beginning. The Hungarian Academy of Sciences and UNESCO had initiated the first World Science Conference in 1999 with the support of the Government of Hungary. At this year’s forum taking place on 7-11th November, in Amman, dedicated sessions will deal with the energy and water nexus. I will lead the panel on Women in Science, where we are going to tackle the water related aspects as well.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Cooperation on oceans and other natural resources management, such as surface and groundwater is of particular important in preventing conflicts.
I encourage all to reinforce joint efforts at the UN in linking science and policy, in order to bring together people from the political, researcher and implementation levels for closer cooperation among our countries and nations to do more in preventive diplomacy, and thereby contributing to peace and development achieving stability.
I thank you for your kind attention!
