Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Chumakov at High-Level Event “Celebrating World Water Day 2024”
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I extend my warmest greetings to all present on this great occasion of World Water Day 2024. Water is the source of life, and its sustainable management is crucial for the well-being of present and future generations.
First and foremost, I would like to commend Tajikistan, the Netherlands, and Indonesia for their leadership in water-related affairs. I also extend my appreciation to UN DESA and UN Water for their invaluable contributions to advancing the sustainable development agenda, particularly in the area of water management.
I would like to highlight the significance of the 2023 UN Water Conference, where the Member States and other stakeholders from across the globe convened for the first time in a generation to exchange knowledge and share best practices. Although there was no negotiated outcome, the conference served as a valuable platform for fostering collaboration and advancing our collective understanding of water-related challenges.
We believe that the water dialogue should be continued. However, the Russian Federation continues to be confident that we do not need new water processes and institutions within the United Nations framework. We firmly believe that the current mechanisms, including UNESCO, WMO, the UN Water Convention, the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" as well as the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development possess adequate effectiveness and efficiency. Through enhanced use of these mechanisms and better coordination between them we can expedite our collective progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Another challenge we would like to highlight is the increasing trend of water securitization. The Russian Federation opposes a direct link between water and security issues. It misses out a wide range of sustainable development issues, brings about a sensitive issue of sovereignty of states over their natural resources and does not appear to be conducive to progress on the SDG 6 track.
Addressing another crucial issue, we believe the appointment of a UN Special Envoy on water needs careful consideration. The Secretariat should prioritize representation from the Global South for this role, ensuring that qualifications take precedence over all other factors. It is imperative that the individual selected possesses the necessary expertise, experience, and firm commitment to effectively tackle water-related challenges on a global scale.
In conclusion, as we commemorate World Water Day, let us reaffirm Russia’s commitment to promoting responsible management of water resources, fostering equitable access, and strengthening international cooperation to address the challenges ahead.
Thank you.
