The UN water conference which took place last March in New York, was an unprecedented event after almost 50 years.

Water challenges were highlighted, giving sense and perspective to the Water4All partnership ambition. Moreover, Water4All was present with partners at four side events.

If one word should synthesise the conference is: acceleration. Indeed we should accelerate by four our efforts if we want to reach the SDG 6 goal by 2030.

It was then a moment for clear commitments to action.

Many countries around the world could benefit from the different events and side events presented and understand the actions done or in progress to tackle water challenges. Policy-makers, stakeholders, scientists, and citizens’ organisations for instance could attend debates and presentations. Around 8,000 persons were present at the conference.

It was also a unique moment to focus on scientific research benefits to manage water challenges that we already face and that should increase in the future. Science is necessary to explain mechanisms and find solutions to existing problems and future ones as water is necessary for all human activities and nature at large.

Water4All was involved in 4 side events contributing to several commitments and supporting key messages:

• The need to increase the level of existing knowledge and innovation uptake by policy-makers, local goverments or operators, economical actors;
• Encourage open sience and data as a driver of innovative solutions and of water actors engagement (public, private, citizens);
• Better involve and support young researchers, young entrepreneurs and young citizens in the water action ;
• Joint efforts for innovative funding and financing schemes for the development of solutions;
• The importance of and relevance of Nature Based Solutions and Hydroecology to support the Water Action Agenda;

For more information, you are invited to look at the commitments, summaries and publications of each session Water4All contributed to

• Collaborative Innovation the key towards a Water Smart Society
• Transdisciplinary Ecohydrology for acceleration of SDG  and for further information : (www.nature.com/articles/s44221-023-00078-5))
• Inclusive Science for Water Security.pdf
• Mainstreaming Ecological Restoration in Freshwater Ecosystems.pdf

Moreover, the EU confirmed its strong engagement for global water security by announcing 33 commitments for action starting now. The EU priorities include:

• Ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right;
• Protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems for sustainable development, climate mitigation and adaptation;
• Promoting a more integrated approach to the management of water resources across sectors;
• Promoting circularity in the use of water for industry, energy and agriculture by increasing water efficiency and water reuse; Promoting transboundary water cooperation, as a catalyst for peace and security;
• Mobilising public and private finance, research and innovation, and knowledge sharing.