Exchange with Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations

Following the International Secretariat for Water’s (ISW) strong commitment to the United Nations Water Conference in March 2023, and with the aim of ensuring a follow-up to the commitments made at the Conference – beyond the main outcome of the latter which consisted of a Water Action Programme, listing to date more than 800 voluntary commitments from various stakeholders – civil society (Butterfly Effect NGO coalition), together with several representatives of the Global Youth Water Movement, drafted an open letter entitled “Water needs a home“, reiterating the need for strong political commitment to achieve MDG6, and calling for a strengthening of political dialogue and multilateral coordination on water within the United Nations through :

  • The rapid appointment of a special envoy on water to the UN Secretary-General, with a political mandate.
  • The adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution establishing regular intergovernmental meetings on water, building on the success of this conference.

It was following this open letter, supported by over 130 civil society and youth organizations, that we were able to speak with Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations in December 2023.

With the aim of discussing in more detail our recommendations for improving international water governance, this very fruitful and inspiring exchange of over an hour with Amina J. Mohammed and her team, led to several concrete results such as:

  • Support for the establishment of a group of advisors – made up of representatives of civil society, youth and other stakeholders – to the future Special Envoy for Water;
  • Inclusion and consultation of civil society – through ISW partner networks – in the development of the UN Wide Strategy on Water, currently under preparation.

Several other themes, essential to good global governance of water, such as the need to strengthen the means of implementing existing programs and projects, or the importance of including minorities (indigenous populations, women, young people, etc.), as well as the terms of reference of the future Special Envoy for Water, were also discussed.

Invited to continue its reflections at a follow-up meeting, but also to propose concrete recommendations on means of implementation, and to offer support in the search for the right person to take on the role of Special Envoy on Water, the ISW has also strengthened its relations with various UN bodies to ensure coherence and coordination.

This high-level meeting represents a defining moment for the ISW and its partner networks, reaffirming its role as a catalyst for civil society and youth in the water sector, as well as a privileged interlocutor with the United Nations and its various decision-making bodies.