Water Is a Human Right: UN Chief António Guterres
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Tuesday that 40% of the world’s people are affected by water scarcity.
He was delivering a video message to the Budapest Water Summit, being held in Budapest from 15 to 17 October.
He added that 80% of wastewater is discharged untreated into the environment. And more than 90% of natural disasters are water-related.
Growing demand for water, poor resource management, and the climate emergency have all added to the stress. At the same time, solutions exist — from conservation strategies to desalination technologies.
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Mr. Guterres said in his message that scaling up such initiatives is urgent and crucial for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), combating the climate crisis, preventing water-related conflicts, and building lives of dignity for all.
“Our bodies, our cities, and our industries, our agriculture and our ecosystems all depend on water. Water is a human right. The United Nations is fully committed to working with you to uphold this right for all,” the UN chief said.
