Hasina for global fund on water
#Bangladesh HPM #SheikhHasina at a bilateral meeting with President of #Mauritius @aguribfakim at the sidelines of #BudapestWaterSummit2016 pic.twitter.com/U0uYutVL0v
— Awami League (@albd1971) November 28, 2016
“Financing is a critical issue to realise water-related goals and targets. I reiterate the need for creating a Global Fund on water to support research, innovation and technology transfer,” she said while delivering her statement at the Budapest Water Summit, 2016.
The PM said water may intensify inequalities within and among nations in view of the growing population, rapid urbanisation and unplanned industrialisation. As such, issues like protection, conservation and utilisation of water resources need to be addressed comprehensively.
“It wouldn't merely eliminate inequality in access to water resources, but would also help bring peace, stability and security to the society as water has been the roots of many tension and conflicts across the world.”
“To achieve this [water security], we must work together and act now. Bangladesh is committed to playing its role,” she added.
About the seven-point agenda, Hasina said the Agenda 2030 sufficiently articulated the inter-linkages and interfaces between water and wider sustainable development architecture. Hence, water should be the integral part of any development endeavour at national, regional and global level.
She said millions of people around the world face difficulties to access safe drinking water and basic sanitation, given the fact that water supplies were neither adequate nor safe.
“Special focus needs to be paid to people or group who is usually left behind: the poor, the women and the marginalised section of the society,” she told the Summit.
Water is one area where climate vulnerable countries are intensely challenged, the PM said, adding that there is an urgent need to build resilience to water related disasters.
“Water challenges today are not the scarcity of water in absolute term, rather its equitable distribution. Effective management of trans-boundary river water would serve a lasting and viable solution to this effect,” she observed.
The premier emphasised the importance of developing less water-intensive varieties of crops and water efficient technologies.
She reiterated the need for creating a Global Fund on water to support research, innovation and technology transfer. The innovations and solutions should reach the poor people, she added.
She thanked the Hungarian government for organising the Summit on such a key topic. She said Bangladesh has already met the MDGs for safe water and around 65 percent of its population have access to improved sanitation facilities.
“We are committed to ensuring safe drinking water for all and improved sanitation for at least 90 percent of our population by the year 2021. Being one of the most climatically vulnerable countries, the government has been carrying out series of measures to address climate change adversities,” she added.
The PM told her audience that Bangladesh faces unique challenges -- abundance in water during monsoon and scarcity during dry season. The country's vulnerability is further increased by the fact that 92 percent of its surface waters originate from outside the border, she noted.
“Sharing of trans-boundary river water is a complex issue. Two decades back, Bangladesh succeeded to enter into a long-term water sharing arrangement with India on the Ganges waters. Sub-regional cooperation on waters between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal is also on the right track,” Hasina said.
Hungarian President János Áder made the opening statement while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and His All Holiness, Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch gave video messages.
Comments