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Energy Minister concludes his participation in 'Water Conference' held in New York: Water diplomacy helps countries prevent conflicts in the management of shared water resources

NNA - Caretaker Minister of Energy and Water, Dr. Walid Fayyad, concluded today his visit to New York, where he delivered Lebanon's official speech at the Water Conference that was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York between March 22 & 24, 2023.

On the last day of the conference, Fayyad had valuable interventions as a keynote speaker in an interactive dialogue on "cross-border cooperation, international cooperation, and cross-sectoral cooperation in the water field, including scientific cooperation".

Additionally, Fayyad participated in two sideline events, the first organized by the League of Arab States and ESCWA under the headline, “The Joint Commitment of the Arab Region to Accelerate the Achievement of Water Security for Sustainable Development”, and the second organized by the Egyptian Republic under the headline: “From COP27 to the United Nations Water Conference 2023: Action on Water Adaptation and Resilience (AWARe) Changing the Rules of the Game in the Water Action Agenda”.

He also attended a side event organized by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, in partnership with the World Bank, the World Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Development Program, entitled: "Water for Sustainable Development - The Saudi Experience"; in addition to another side event patronized by the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Linda Adams, and the Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, under the headline: "Stronger through Water", which included speakers from the US federal government and the local government of New York City, and focused on reviewing local and international initiatives in the field of water security.

According to an issued statement, the interventions of Minister Fayyad focused on the Lebanese national concern and the economic and social sufferings that Lebanon is going through, explaining the situation in a scientific and objective way with the aim of helping to reach the desired solutions as soon as possible, and through the best means leading to the return of advancement to the country's various sectors.

Fayyad also touched on the technical side of water issues and related technologies and scientific research, without neglecting the geopolitical dimension of the region and the challenges facing cross-border cooperation in the field of water.

“Countries using water diplomacy can help prevent conflicts and create an environment for peaceful and constructive cooperation in the management of shared water resources," Fayyad underlined, adding that "diplomatic tools such as bilateral and multilateral agreements, negotiation and mediation, can actually help improve transparency and trust between countries, facilitate the exchange of data and explore the potential for mutual benefits, thus fostering joint cooperation and partnership."

He emphasized in his delivered words that the "main principles of water diplomacy include the sustainable development of water resources, collaborative and participatory decision-making processes, and the peaceful settlement of disputes."

"We must continue our efforts to encourage transboundary water cooperation and strengthen water diplomacy. Through our collective efforts, we can create sustainable solutions to manage this precious resource, ensuring that it continues to meet the needs of all who depend on it, now and in the future," Fayyad maintained.

On water security, Fayyad highlighted three main factors in this regard, which revolve around the availability of water, its price and cost, as well as its sustainability.
 
Fayyad also praised the conclusions of the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, which placed water at the center of the climate change agenda and its narratives, and welcomed "Egypt's initiative to propose the appointment of a UN envoy on water issues and the establishment of a new center at the United Nations for this purpose, which would activate water diplomacy."
 
Finally, Fayyad expressed Lebanon's aspiration to build on the outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh conference and to participate in the upcoming COP28 to be held in the United Arab Emirates.

 

=========R.Sh,

تابعوا أخبار الوكالة الوطنية للاعلام عبر أثير إذاعة لبنان على الموجات 98.5 و98.1 و96.2 FM

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