World Water Day and UN 2023 Water Conference
Each year, on March 22nd, World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness about the two billion people currently living without access to safe water to meet basic needs and thrive. World Water Day aims to inspire global action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. On this year’s World Water Day, USAID will join other U.S. government partners at the first UN Water Conference in nearly 50 years to showcase the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic commitment to climate-resilient water and sanitation at home and around the world.
The U.S. government aims to catalyze global action on water security to reach those most likely to be left behind and to increase member-states’ investment in climate-resilient water and sanitation. This year, USAID’s World Water Day will focus on localization, reaching marginalized and vulnerable populations, and mobilizing finance to accelerate action.
The UN 2023 Water Conference and the Water Action Agenda will unite the world for water.
The key building blocks of the Water Action Agenda are:
- Commitment to action
- Sustained and scalable implementation
- Follow-up and review processes
These blocks will enable replication and scaling up of what works and bring successful solutions to global scale.
The Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Tajikistan and the Netherlands, will feature an opening and closing ceremony, six plenary meetings, and five multi-stakeholder interactive dialogues. It will also feature a number of high-level special events and side events organized by Member States, the UN system, and other stakeholders.
The outcome of the Conference will be a summary of the Conference proceedings and new commitments, pledges and actions by Governments and all stakeholders toward achieving SDG 6 and other water-related goals and targets, compiled in the Water Action Agenda.
This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
Programme Highlights
All sessions below are listed in Eastern time.
Wednesday, 22 March 2023
Joined-up Action for Humanitarian and Development Collective Outcomes to Accelerate SDG 6
Time: 8:00 - 10:00 am
Location: UNICEF House, Danny Kaye Hall
A linchpin approach to global resilience: the pivotal role of water security, especially access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in achieving climate resilience, food security, economic growth, global health, and gender equality
Time: 9:30-10:45 am
Location UN Side Event Room 8
Adopting the Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus for a water-wise energy transition
Time: 3:30-4:45 pm
Location: UN Side Event Room 5
Reception hosted by US WASH Advocacy coalition
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: Millennium Hotel, One UN Plaza, Landmark Room Invitation Only
Systems strengthening and leadership for sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services for all
Time: 6:30-7:45 pm
Location: UN Trusteeship Council
Thursday, 23 March 2023
Scaling up Market-Based Sanitation in Ethiopia: Achievements and Challenges
Time: 8:00-9:30 am
Location: 730 Third Avenue, Industrious Meeting Rooms 2C-D
Dealing with climate, water and peace: how participatory system analysis supported conflict resolution at local level - Lessons from Niger
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 am TBC
Location: TBA
High-level side event - Central Asia: Commitments to Water Action Agenda
Time: 9:30-10:45 am
Location: UN Side Event Room 8
Water as a Connector: Private Sector and Civil Society Support for the Water Action Agenda
Time: 11:00 am-12:15 pm
Location: The Nature Hub, Apella (450 E. 29th Street, 2nd)
DevEx WASH Works Conference (Livestream available)
Time: 1:05-1:35 pm
Location: 110 E 25th St and virtual
Achieving SDG6: a gender lens on climate, youth and menstrual health hygiene
Time: 3:30-4:45 pm
Location: UN Side Event Room C
Innovation in Water Governance – Breaking boundaries for climate, resilience and the environment
Time: 5:00-6:15 pm
Location: UN Side Event Room C
Stronger Through Water (INVITATION ONLY)
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: New York Public Library
Friday, 24 March 2023
WASH Sector Capacity and Funding
Time: 08:00-9:45 am
Location: UN Church Building, 777 United Nations Plaza 2nd floor
Water Action Decade: Accelerating the implementation of the objectives of the Decade, including through the UN Secretary-General’s Action Plan (Interactive Dialog)
Time: 10:00 am
Co-chairs: Singapore and the United States