India welcomes UN launch of decade of action on water

India has welcomed the launch of an ambitious decade for action on water, expressing hope that concerted action by the international community will help in meeting the challenges of ensuring sustainable solutions to the requirement of clean water.

"We welcome (the) initiative to launch the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development on the World Water Day," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Tanmaya Lal said here yesterday.

He expressed hope that "through concerted national action and international collaboration, the international community can collectively meet the challenge of ensuring sustainable solutions to the requirement of clean water."

Speaking in the UN General Assembly on the launch of the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028, Lal said the exponential growth in population, inadequately planned development of industry and urban centres, uncontrolled pollution and changing climate are together putting increasing stress on the availability of water.

Such a scenario has very serious implications affecting food and energy and health among others.

"At the same time, there are also growing instances of innovative practices and technology development that are leading to more efficient recycle and reuse in areas that are deficient in water, Lal said.

The Decade, launched on March 22 on World Water Day, calls for a greater focus on the sustainable development and integrated management of water resources for the achievement of social, economic and environmental objectives and on the implementation and promotion of related programmes and projects, as well as on the furtherance of cooperation and partnership at all levels in order to help to achieve internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Lal said the decade of action on water would contribute significantly in facilitating international collaboration in improving the accessibility of clean water for health, wellbeing and sustainable development.

Lal stressed that considerable work needs to be done globally to implement Sustainable Development Goal 6 of ensuring access to water and sanitation for all.

"In addition to strong national multi-stakeholder action, this would also require genuine international cooperation through facilitation of relevant technological inputs and financial partnerships, he said.

He outlined that in India, large scale efforts by the government and other stakeholders are underway to improve the availability of clean water for drinking and sanitation. He added that cleaning of rivers is being undertaken at an unprecedented scale in the country and conservation and management of water is being pursued through practices of integrated watershed management and rainwater harvesting.