UN 2023 Water Conference

The Conference

After 45 years the UN 2023 Water Conference is the second high level water conference of its kind. The conference will take place at UN Headquarters in New York, 22-24 March 2023 and is co-hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands. The German WASH Network and its members contribute by co-organising official side events. These events are presented below.

The UN states that Water and Sanitation are a fundamental parts of all aspects of life, inextricably linked to social, econcomic and environmental development. It is crosscutting and supports the achievement of many SDGs linking health, food security, poverty, education, gender equality, cities, energy and the environment,  amongst others. With climate change affecting our economies, societies and environment, water is seen as the biggest deal breaker to achieve such internationally agreed water-related goals and targets.

The outcome of the Conference will be a summary of the Conference proceedings and new commitments, pledges and actions by Governments and all stakeholders towards achieving SDG 6 and other water-related goals and targets, compiled in the Water Action Agenda.

Visit the conference webpage | Programme at a glance (PDF) | Water Action Agenda 


Side Events

Water Action and Human Rights

Water Action and Human Rights

In New York, we are co-hosting the side event  “Water Action and Human Rights – Implementing the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation at the Local Level” to give this crucial topic the prominence it deserves. It will showcase voices from local government institutions and local communities in order to show how despite challenges, the human rights to water and sanitation are already being used, to draw lessons for the practical application of rights at the local level and identify ways national governments and the international community can support the practical realisation of the human rights to water and sanitation and SDG6.

The side event is a joint initiative of the Permanent Mission of Germany, Permanent Mission Spain and the German WASH Network members WASH United, Malteser International and Water Integrity Network. Leading global and regional networks like Make Rights Real, End Water Poverty, Sanitation and Water for all, ANEW and Redes del Agua are also supporting the event.

More information and the opportunity to RSVP can be found here: Invitation and RSVP

Hearing the Unheard

Hearing the Unheard

The  Water Integrity Network, End Water Poverty and their partners invite you to the side event “Hearing the Unheard”. For more information, please see the flyer below.

Online participation is possible via Zoom, which gives you the opportunity to attend this side event from anywhere in the world. Please register for the event.

Hearing the Unheard: the Human Right to Water and Sanitation | New York Water Week 

Water is a Human Right

Water is a Human Right – Celebration

Viva con Agua is hosting a “Water is a human right” celebration in regard to the UN 2023 Water Conference. The get-together focuses on the global accessto clean drinking water. No registration is needed.

More information can be found on the flyer below.