New York, Sep 22 (UNB) – Underscoring the need for ensuring equitable sharing of transboundary water bodies, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said water should be considered as an integral part of the new development architecture and strongly advocated for creating a global fund for SDG-6.
“We need to ensure equitable sharing of trans-boundary water bodies, including integrated management of river basins and promote access to water-intensive technologies to effectively address water-related challenges,” she said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the High-Level Panel on Water at the conference room 8 of the UN Headquarters here on Wednesday.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has earned global recognition as a champion for ensuring safe water and sanitation for all. “Today, more than 98 per cent of our population has access to safe drinking water and above 65 percent has access to safe sanitation.”
She said the 2030 Agenda has articulated inter-linkages between water and wider sustainable development. In this regard, she highlighted a few critical areas that deserves the world’s immediate action saying, “We must continue to develop less water-intensive varieties of crops, as agriculture accounts for around 70 percent of overall freshwater. We should promote access to water-intensive technologies to effectively address water related challenges.”
She further said, “We need to ensure equitable sharing of trans-boundary water bodies, including integrated management of river basins. We have to invest in water related infrastructures for its efficient use and governance. I would strongly advocate for creating a global fund for SDG-6. Water should be considered as an integral part of the new development architecture, as it is linked with climate change, food, health and energy security. Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is part of human rights … as I shared our thoughts to deepen our collective effort, I assure you of all our support in this regard.”
Later, addressing a press briefing with other panel members, Hasina said the members of the HLPW today issued a call to address the challenges of nine broad themes and implement of plans to ensure water.
The Prime Minister said they urged the heads of state and government and other leaders to prioritise water issues in their thoughts, policies and action. “We also underscored the importance of valued water right and also water and sanitation needs for all.”
She said, “We need to invest heavily in resilient and innovative infrastructure for effective use of water.”
Sheikh Hasina said she also strongly advocated for creating a global fund on water SDGs to support research innovation and technology transfer. “We also urged to build a global movement, and I personally requested media to support our call and help engage the people of the planet for our collective prosperity,” she added.
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Engineer Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain and PM’s Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad were, among others, present on the occasion.
