An article by Baptiste Lecuyot
Until recently, the World Water Forum (WWF) was the main high-level event dedicated to water and sanitation issues. Although open to criticism in a number of respects, it had the merit of bringing together the diversity of players and stakeholders in the sector (public, private, associations, civil society, academia, etc.), without being a vehicle for strong political decision-making. The situation seems to have changed since the organization of the last United Nations Water Conference in New York in March last year, especially after the announcement that these conferences will be held on a regular basis – the next one is scheduled for 2026 – at least until the 2030 horizon of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
That said, it is clear that the MDGs, and in particular the goal of “ensuring universal access to sustainably managed water supply and sanitation services” (MDG6), will not be achieved by 2030. It will therefore be important to ensure that mobilization on the subject continues beyond this deadline. As for the relationship between the next WEFs and the next intergovernmental conferences, it is not yet clear. The former take place outside any official intergovernmental political process, i.e. outside the UN system, while the latter leave little room for the diversity of players.
The challenges of the next World Water Forum
Until these questions are answered, the next WWF, to be held in Indonesia from May 18 to 25, 2024, on the theme of “Water for Shared Prosperity”, will cover 6 major topics:
- Water security and prosperity
- Water for people and nature
- Disaster risk reduction and management
- Governance, cooperation and hydro-diplomacy
- Sustainable water finance
- Innovation and knowledge
As with the other forums, in addition to the thematic process which will develop these topics through multiple sessions, there will also be a regional and political process which should lead to the organization of different sessions: heads of state, ministers, basin authorities, local and regional authorities, parliamentarians. Youth should also have a dedicated space and contribute to the various forum processes.
Although international in scope, the forum’s location in Indonesia should enable it to focus on Asia, and thus provide an opportunity to highlight the specific challenges facing this part of the world “one of the regions most impacted by the effects of climate change (flooding, rising sea levels, typhoons, etc.), with a young population, strong demographic growth, and increased pressure on available water resources”. (Coalition Eau – Note de positionnement sur le FME). Many countries in South and Southeast Asia are also experiencing humanitarian crises – Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. – which are superimposed on climate and health issues.
The humanitarian emergency of access to drinking water.
As far as humanitarian issues are concerned, their visibility at the forum remains low, both because of its vast scope (multi-actor, multi-regional, multi-thematic, etc.) and because of the limited presence of humanitarian players. Solidarités International will be present to make the case that, by 2024, some 300 million people will be in need of humanitarian aid and protection, i.e. 4% of the world’s population[1]. Despite an unprecedented drop in this figure compared to 2023, the needs are still immense and their coverage insufficient, particularly in the chronically underfunded Water, Hygiene and Sanitation humanitarian sector.
With two sessions co-organized by Solidarités International[2] one entitled “Achieving SDG6 in contexts of crisis and fragility” (2C2), in coordination with the Véolia Foundation, and the other “Improving emergency responses to water-related disasters” (3E3) in coordination with UNICEF, the multiple issues inherent in these topics will be addressed, through the vision and experience of different players.
Session 2C2 will look at the complex obstacles to access to water and sanitation in contexts of crisis and fragility – conflict and climate change, among others – and explore innovative strategies for responding quickly and effectively to immediate needs, while laying the foundations for long-term resilience.
Session 3E3, meanwhile, will address water-related disasters, which have dominated the list of disasters over the past 50 years and account for 70% of all disaster-related deaths (World Bank, 2022). These disasters can trigger large-scale public health emergencies, with devastating effects for the most affected and vulnerable people, particularly in contexts of crisis and fragility.
The session will outline the need for emergency preparedness and response plans, based on comprehensive risk analysis, coordinated responses, active participation, meaningful representation and decisive leadership from local and national stakeholders. Not to mention adequate funding, not only to draw up preparedness and response plans, but also to implement them.
Leave no one behind!
In a context where the challenges linked to water and sanitation are numerous, it is imperative to recognize the urgency of the situation. The Sustainable Development Goals, in particular MDG6, call for concerted and sustained action to guarantee access to water and sanitation services for all. Beyond the debates, we need to be aware of the vital humanitarian needs that persist, affecting millions of people around the world. Commitment to responding to (and resolving) humanitarian crises must be strengthened, particularly in the area of water, hygiene and sanitation, sectors which remain under-funded and often under-represented. Through its work in the field, Solidarités International humbly contributes to these objectives, and is here to remind us of the importance of raising these issues in major international forums, so that the populations affected are not forgotten, and that the concept of “leaving no one behind”[3] becomes reality.
[1] Global Humanitarian Assistance 2024 – OCHA, Défis Humanitaires https://defishumanitaires.com/en/2024/01/30/global-humanitarian-assistance-2024-ocha/
[2] https://www.solidarites.org/fr/en-direct-du-terrain/2024-une-annee-exigeante-pour-le-monde-humanitaire/
[3] https://unsdg.un.org/fr/2030-agenda/universal-values/leave-no-one-behind
Baptiste Lecuyot
Baptiste Lecuyot is Head of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Department at Solidarités International. He holds an engineering degree in water science and technology from the Polytech’ Montpellier engineering school in France. He worked for five years in the private water and sanitation sector in France, notably as sanitation project manager in a public works company. After graduating from Bioforce, he worked for three years as WASH program manager for international organizations in South Sudan and the Middle East, and for two and a half years as WASH coordinator for Solidarités International’s emergency response team in more than a dozen contexts. He is now responsible for implementing and developing Solidarités International’s WASH strategy, supporting research and innovation projects, and representing Solidarités International at major industry forums and events.