Excellencies,
Distinguished colleagues and partners,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am very happy to be here co-hosting this event with my friend, the UN-Water Chair, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo.
A year ago, the UN-Water family launched the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework to speed up the delivery of SDG 6 and strengthen system-wide collaboration at the country level.
The Framework promotes shared accountability among all actors.
The SDG 6 Special Event, in the margins of the High-level Political Forum, is the annual high-level and multi-stakeholder moment to discuss water and sanitation-related issues. It brings together all actors to review progress, reflect, learn, and initiate actions that are focused on achieving this goal.
I look forward to hearing from colleagues and partners today on progress made and the projects that have been developed around the Framework.
This is a key opportunity to shape the agenda in support of SDG 6 as we move towards the 2023 United Nations Water Decade Conference and beyond. We can use this event to keep the momentum going by drawing commitments and high-level support from different stakeholders including Member States, civil society and the private sector.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In line with the theme of the 2021 HLPF, today’s event will focus on how the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework can support a sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Water and sanitation-related solutions should be prioritized within COVID-19 recovery plans, as they are critical, not only for better preparedness and resilience for future crises, but also for achieving our economic, social and environmental goals.
Together we will be able to make a difference and UN DESA stands ready to support you in these efforts!
Thank you.