43rd Session of the FAO Conference - Roundtable 3: “Water Infrastructure” - Opening Remarks

43^rd Session of the FAO Conference

Roundtable 3: “Water Infrastructure”

Opening Remarks

By

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (09.30 hours)

 

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues,

 

Welcome to this High-Level Roundtable on Water Infrastructure.

 

Water infrastructure has been developed along thousands of years of human civilization, and is fundamental in ensuring the equitable delivery of water resources and water services, and in achieving the SDGs.

 

Agrifood systems and rural development depend on water infrastructure, which is becoming even more critical in addressing the impacts of the climate crisis, including water scarcity,

 

As well as climate change through the use of hydropower, which is the best provider of renewable energy, and when combined with solar power it is even more green and sustainable.

 

Water infrastructure is also critical to efforts to make agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

 

Reliable water supply infrastructure enables farmers to diversify their agricultural practices and crop varieties, and increase resilience.

 

Effective water storage infrastructure can help manage water resources during periods of excess and scarcity, and enables farmers to cultivate crops throughout the year, mitigating the impact of seasonal variations and climate hazards.

 

Water infrastructure directly supports rural development and creates employment opportunities, and contributes to circular economies by turning wastewater into a resource for use by multiple sectors.

 

We need to invest in infrastructure that is better suited to the water challenges we face today.

 

For example, in the Sahel FAO is providing mechanization opportunities to farmers to improve their water infrastructure, and is supporting rural women and their households to access water.

 

Globally, irrigated land produces 40% of food from 20% of arable land – yet it remains an untapped potential.

 

To help deliver on this potential, FAO has developed a global irrigation needs and potential mapping methodology, and we look forward to working with Members in its implementation to support investment and financing decisions.

 

Appropriate financing mechanisms and investments, at the right scale, are key to building and maintaining capital-intensive infrastructure.

 

But we must be mindful about the potential negative social and environmental impacts of large infrastructure.

 

Resilience-based solutions are key. Prioritizing green and blue infrastructure can enhance water quality, maintain biodiversity and provide other benefits to agrifood systems and rural areas.

 

In Sri Lanka and Zambia, for example, FAO is piloting multifunctional paddy fields for fish and shrimp farming, in addition to rice production.

 

Such value-added infrastructure generates benefits by recharging groundwater, controlling floods and providing ecosystem services.

 

We can and must do more, together.

 

We need to establish multi-sectoral global partnerships on water infrastructure that include governments, international organizations, local communities and the private sector.

 

These collaborative frameworks will ensure inclusive and sustainable planning, financing, governance and implementation,

 

And support achieving the SDGs and contribute to the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and Better Life, leaving no one behind.

 

Thank you.