43rd Session of the FAO Conference - Roundtable 1: “Water Scarcity: Making water flow for people and planet” - Opening Remarks

43^rd Session of the FAO Conference 

Roundtable 1: “Water Scarcity: Making water flow for people and planet” 

Opening Remarks

By

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General 

Monday, 3 July 2023 (10.30 hours)

 

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The UN Secretary-General pointed out that “As humanity’s most precious global common good, water unites us all. That is why water needs to be at the center of the global political agenda”.

 

More than 3 billion people live in agricultural areas with high or very high levels of water shortages or scarcity. In already irrigated agriculture, groundwater depletion, deteriorating water quality, and competition for water resources, all pose significant threats.

 

The increased pressure on water resources and water stress can deepen already severe inequalities in access to water, increasing existing social disparities, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as women, small-scale farmers, and Indigenous Peoples.

 

It is estimated that by 2050, more than half of the global population (57 percent) will live in areas that suffer from water scarcity at least one month each year. The growing incidence of extreme and prolonged droughts is also stressing ecosystems, with daunting consequences for both plant and animal species.

 

Agriculture is the largest consumer of the world's freshwater resources – accounting for 70 percent of consumption.

 

Agrifood systems are therefore central to addressing the water scarcity challenge we are facing, but we need to transform them urgently to make them more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

 

Today, I would therefore like to invite you to focus on the way forward, and with your political support we can make progress.

 

Excellences,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Addressing water scarcity presents a complex challenge.

 

Securing sufficient water for agriculture, while reconciling the competing water needs of other economic activities, especially as urbanization accelerates, and preserving the sustainability of water resources, presents trade-offs as well as opportunities.

 

The way that water needs of relevant sectors are addressed will determine the achievement of multiple SDGs, in particular SDG 1 and 2, and others.

 

There are no simple solutions to complex problems, but there are smart professional choices.

 

Key reports over the past few years, such as the State of Food and Agriculture 2020, as well as the 2030 Agenda, offer complementary perspectives on the water scarcity challenges before us. They help us recognize and understand why we are in crisis today, and will be in deeper crisis tomorrow, if we do not undertake more ambitious and more effective action.

 

I would like to suggest three areas for action:

 

First: good governance is crucial for sustainable and equitable water allocation, through an integrated and inclusive approach with all partners. Water tenure, water accounting, regulations, and incentive measures, are needed to drive change and ensure equitable access to water resources.

 

Second: we need to implement integrated water resources management through coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize human well-being, without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. For this we need both a national and regional design.

 

Third: we need to invest in innovative water management practices, including in modern irrigation technologies to address water scarcity; and to build a water-saving society, including through a water quota system.

 

These three areas of action need to be supported by robust institutional and legal frameworks. And targeted and increased investments will be needed for delivery – therefore we need to mobilize increased resources.

 

“Making Water Flow for People and Planet” means realizing the full potential of water for sustainable development across the social, economic and environmental dimensions - leaving no one behind.

 

FAO stands ready to provide all the technical and professional support needed.

 

Today’s Round Table provides the opportunity to discuss, together, what we can do, together.

 

Dialogue is good, but what we need is action! Concrete actions to achieve tangible outcomes on the ground.

 

Water if Food, Water is Life.

 

Thank you.