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LOCAL Friday 24 March 2023

Aruba attends the UN Water Conference 2023

During the week of March 22 and March 24, 2023, an Aru-
ba delegation representing our nature is in New York to
attend the UN Water Conference. This year, the Nether-
lands and Tajikistan co-organized the United Nations Wa-
ter Conference.

The goal is to bring stakeholders from different sectors
together to accelerate the implementation and reduce
the impacts of water-related challenges worldwide.

The three principles used to guide the conference are in-
clusivity, taking action, and inter-sectorial.

We live from the water. It is a resource crucial for human
well-being, energy production, food, a healthy ecosys-
tem, and climate adaptation. it also reduces poverty and
much more. Water is essential when discussing sustainable
development, but contamination and excessive use of
this resource negatively affects human health and eco-
nomic activity. Access to clean water is a human right.
However, there are still millions around the world with no
access to water. It requires urgent actions to guarantee
sustainable water distribution for all basic human needs.

In Aruba, we must remember that our water resource is
the ocean, not only the ocean surrounding Aruba but all
oceans.

That is why it is essential to know the challenges of other
countries and foment collaboration, especially for the is-
lands in the Caribbean. This way, responsible action can
be taken, bringing about sustainable solutions that con-
sider our nature.

Minister Ursell Arends, responsible for Nature in Aruba, and
Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes will participate in the
different sessions about the commitments proposed by
the Aruban Government regarding the SDGs.q