From a low-lying delta on the North Sea and small islands in the Caribbean to the spectacular glaciers of Tajikistan, this partnership demonstrates that every country faces different challenges when it comes down to water: there’s too much, too little or it’s dirty.

Seventy percent of the Dutch population in the Netherlands lives below sea level, and that’s why the Dutch have so much expertise with flood-control and clean water. They work together with other countries to tackle water-related issues around the world, like flooding, irrigation, safe river banks and clean drinking water.

The Water Conference is the first UN Water Conference in nearly 50 years.

Parts of the UN Water Conference can also be followed online, such as the plenary sessions, several side events and talk shows from the UN-based SDG Studio hosted by presenter Shakuntala Shantiran.

Parallel to the conference, the city of New York will be celebrating New York Water Week to further increase the momentum of the conference.

Why: Almost all countries in the world have problems with water. Whether it concerns floods or extreme drought. And worldwide, 884 million people do not have access to clean drinking water. Moreover, waste, pollution and climate change are putting increasing pressure on the global water supply. The UN Water Conference must contribute to achieving international agreements in the field of water and accelerate this process.

Who: The Dutch Delegation including:

• His Majesty the King Willem-Alexander
• Ms. Evelyn Wever-Croes, Prime Minister Aruba
• Ms. Liesje Schreinemacher, Dutch Minister for Foreign trade and Development
• Mr. Markus Harbers, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management
• Mr. Ursell Arends, Minister of Transport, Integrity, Nature and Senior Affairs of Aruba
• Mr.  Egbert Doran, Minister of Public Housing, Physical Planning, Environment and Infrastructure St. Maarten
• Mr. Henk Ovink, Water Envoy Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Mr. Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, Climate Envoy Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of the city of Rotterdam
• Ms. Sarah Oey, Youth representative

Water Conference in numbers: 1 ceremonial opening, 5 interactive dialogues, 4 special events, 500 official side-events including 200 on UN grounds, 150 events in NYC, 150 events online, world leaders, ministers and delegations from 193 countries, 6,643 registered participants including companies and civil society organizations (UN member states not included), and 200 youth delegates.

More information: Questions via e-mail, please use the contact form

VN-Waterconferentie 2023 | Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken | Rijksoverheid.nl

New York Water Week | 18-24 March 2023 (nywaterweek.com)

Media Accreditation (deadline March 15): https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2023/media