UNEP is engaging with a number of high-level water commitments, or “game changers,” set to be announced in March including for transboundary water cooperation, for creating a new platform to consolidate water-related data and information, for advancing sustainable lake management and valuing lakes and other wetlands as nature-based solutions for climate, and for advancing source-to-sea management. 

UNEP has co-led the drafting of the concept note for Interactive Dialogue 3: “Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment: Source to Sea, Biodiversity, Climate, Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction”, where a strong recommendation has been made to raise the value of wetlands as nature-based solutions, and is hosting a side event at the conference to highlight the role of lakes, and their conservation and protection, as a key nature-based solution.

UNEP has launched its report Measuring Progress: Water-related ecosystems and the SDGs shortly before the conference. 

The vision statement of the Water Conference calls, among others, for the identification of opportunities and innovative ways and means to accelerate progress on integrated water resources management. 

UNEA 5.2 in March 2022 adopted a resolution on sustainable lake management - this is the first ever resolution dedicated specifically to lakes as Member States are keen to see the Resolution implemented as quickly and as fully as possible. On the lakes portal you can learn about the diversity of lake ecosystems, why they are vital for human development and planetary health and the interlinked threats they face. You can also find tools, and other resources and more information on initiatives that UNEP, partners and you can undertake to help conserve, protect, and restore them to their former glory.

Regarding registration for the UN Secretariat, Funds, Programmes, Regional Commissions, Specialized Agencies and other entities, please find more information on the UN 2023 Water Conference website here. Registration was closed on 15 March.

UNEP is engaging in a number of high-priority topics and events highlighting the threats freshwater ecosystems are facing and how healthy ecosystems help combat the triple planetary crisis. These include linking freshwater ecosystems into the Global Biodiversity Framework, source to sea approaches, water and climate action, pollution and water quality, and many others.