Water is a fundamental resource enabling the production of over 95% of food on land as well the progress of all sustainable development goals (SDGs). Therefore, the central role of water in achieving global food security and nutrition for all needs to be widely recognized by the agrifood sector. 

Unfortunately, freshwater resources are becoming increasingly scarce and water crisis is identified as one the top five crises to have the largest impact in the next decade. Currently 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, of which more than 733 million people - approximately 10 per cent of the global population - live in countries with high and critical water stress. Water scarcity, drought, and climate change are leading challenges to sustainable agriculture development.

Addressing the water crisis is essential to achieving all 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, from ending poverty, to food security, to climate change and sustaining life on Earth.

Last year’s Food Systems Summit brought together governments, businesses, communities and civil society to chart sustainable pathways for the future of food systems that respect the human rights of all people through National Dialogues across 148 countries. These Dialogues concluded 116 national pathways to food security and revealed key building blocks for action by governments, together with different stakeholders, to further strengthen food systems by 2030 and support people to realize their right to food as well as their right to water.