UN 2023 Water Conference- Local Action and Water Management
The UN 2023 Water conference was held both in-person and virtual formats between 22 and 24 March 2023.
The UN 2023 Water Conference is a unique opportunity for the global community. It is the first UN conference on water in nearly five decades and comes at a time when the world is faced with a polycrisis including the devastating impacts of climate change, the looming food crisis, and the on-going battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Water can help to solve these crises; for example, water is instrumental for mitigation as well as adaptation in tackling the climate crisis and in healthcare delivery. The Conference is therefore a unique opportunity to mobilize all sectors, actors, and countries to reflect on progress in the water sector and create the political momentum needed to act.
On 23 March, the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted a side event entitled: Local Action in Water Management in Small Island Developing States: Experiences from the Small Grants Programme. Nearly 50 people joined the side event from all around the world. SGP’s Global Manager, Ms. Yoko Watanabe moderated the event, with opening remarks from Ms. AnaMaria Nunez, Regional Technical Specialist (UNDP). Opening remarks touched upon very important issues including the scale of the water and sanitation problem, capacity gaps at the local level, and the Water Conference more broadly. Watch the full recording of this event HERE.
A panel discussion included stakeholders from multiple sectors consisting of government and civil society organizations. The first speaker, Ms Abigail Richards, Scientific Officer at the UWI-Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory, Jamaica, talked about building local capacity for water quality monitoring and improved sanitation in Jamaica. She highlighted how important it is to create awareness and empower local people to actively engage in the monitoring of water resources. This was followed by a presentation by Cletus Springer, a qualified urban planner, public administrator and communications practitioner from Saint Lucia. Mr Springer’s presentation emphasized the importance of the ridge-to-reef approach and integrated water resources management in addressing critical water and environmental problems, and more importantly the role communities play in managing water resources. Dr. Sharda Mahabir, SGP National Coordinator and Ms. Khadija McKay, Programme Administrator, Adopt A River Programme, from Trinidad and Tobago, talked about the importance of awareness raising, technology application in water management and the need for a whole-of-society approach to addressing water and environmental problems. The last speaker, Mr Billy Gertnertt, Founder and Project Coordinator, West Indies Sail Heritage Antigua and Barbuda, emphasized the importance of awareness raising, action-based learning and the need to involve the younger generation in water resources management. In sum, all presentations and discussions highlighted the need for integrated land and seascape approaches, technology and innovation in water management, hands-on learning, citizen science, behavioral change, community ownership and partnerships.
In her concluding remarks, SGP’s Global Manager, Ms. Yoko Watanabe expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for the continuous support of SGP’s work. She also reiterated some salient messages including key lessons regarding project sustainability and the need work collectively to sustain and scale up successful community projects. It was also emphasized that more resources and time are needed to continue building the capacity of local communities.
All presentations available HERE.
