UNESCO-WWAP participation in the Fourth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries Special Event: 'Water issues in the Least Developed Countries'

The Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) was held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9th- 13th May.

In partnership with FAO, IFAD, and the Tajikistan and Bangladesh Permanent Missions to the UN, UNESCO-WWAP co-organised a Special Event on 'Water Issues in the Least Developed Countries' - the most prominent water event at the conference.

The event brought high level representatives together to discuss a number of key water issues in the LDCs. It was very well attended by both delegates and the press, including broad coverage by South-South News, and included H.E. Mr. Cheick Sidi Diarra, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, as one of its distinguished speakers. The session highlighted and discussed different aspects of water problems in the LDCs and shared information to improve access to safe drinking water and promote rational use of water resources for development - including water for environmental protection.

Dr. Olcay Unver, WWAP Coordinator, and Director for UNESCO's Programme Office for Global Water Assessment, moderated the Special Event and also made an intervention. Dr. Unver highlighted that water issues should not be considered in a vacuum, and, giving examples from Sub Sahara Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, spoke about the need to participate in existing opportunities to improve management of freshwater resources in the LDCs. The WWAP Coordinator also highlighted the need to assist decision-makers in making informed positive decisions based on data and information in a context of uncertainty and risk.

Gender related water issues were highlighted throughout the session, with special focus on sanitation and the need to value freshwater resources to promote gender equality and gender-responsive policies for the use and management of water. Ways of reducing consequences of water-related natural disasters and climate and water-related policies, as well as actions to combat short and long term threats were also discussed.

WWAP would like to sincerely thank the co-organisers and speakers of the Special Event on Water Issues in Least Developed Countries for their invaluable insight and support.

Speakers at the Special Event:

• H.E. Ambassador Sirodjidin Aslov, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the UN
• Mr Akil Akilov, Prime Minister of Tajikistan
• H.E. Ambassador Abdul Momen, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN
• Honorable Dr. Dipu Moni, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, MP
• H.E. Mr. Cheick Sidi Diarra, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
• Hon. Prof. Anna Tibaijuka, MP Tanzania, Chair of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC)/United Nations Office for Project Services
• Dr. Olcay Ünver,  Coordinator, United Nations World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); Director, Programme Office for Global Water Assessment, Division of Water Sciences, UNESCO
• H.E. Mr Serge Lepeltier, French Ambassador on Climate Issues
• Mr. Giovanni Munoz, FAO, Land and Water Officer, FAO Sub-regional Office for Central Asia
• Ms. S.Gulser Corat, Director, Division for Gender Equality, Office of the Director General, UNESCO
• H.E. Mr Francis Lorenzo, President of South-South News