- COP28 will elevate water on the climate agenda and seek to drive forward progress and raise ambition.
- The COP28 Water Agenda identifies three priority areas for programming at Water Day during COP28’s two-week thematic program: conserving and restoring freshwater ecosystems, enhancing urban water resilience, and bolstering water-resilient food systems.
- The COP28 Presidency also announced a partnership with the co-hosts of the UN 2023 Water Conference, Netherlands and Tajikistan, who will serve as COP28 Water Champions to help lead the Agenda.
- COP28’s two-week thematic program includes a special day dedicated to exploring climate action across food, agriculture, and water.
- It will also see the first UNFCCC high-level dialogue on water-resilient food systems.
The Water Agenda of the COP28 UAE Presidency was unveiled during World Water Week held in Stockholm from August 20 to 24.
COP28 has outlined its primary focal points, encompassing the preservation and rejuvenation of freshwater ecosystems, reinforcement of urban water resilience, and fortification of water-resilient food systems.
Furthermore, as part of this initiative, the COP28 Presidency has forged a partnership with the Netherlands and Tajikistan, designating them as COP28 Water Champions. This collaboration seeks to build upon the outcomes and momentum generated from the UN 2023 Water Conference held in March, which was jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Tajikistan and resulted in the formulation of the Water Action Agenda.
COP28’s overarching aim is to shine an unprecedented spotlight on water-related risks and prospects across various domains, ranging from agriculture to disaster mitigation.
This coalition brings together the COP28 Presidency, Tajikistan, and the Netherlands to drive forward water policies, technological advancements, and financial outcomes during COP28. The support from these two nations is pivotal in ensuring the progress and commitments stemming from the UN Water Conference are translated into actionable results.
Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, spoke on the launch of the Water Agenda and partnership, saying, “Climate change profoundly affects water through flooding, droughts, and sea level rises, impacting homes, ecosystems, and livelihoods. Yet water is not only essential for human survival, health, and food systems, but it’s also fundamental to nature’s balance and the flourishing of biodiversity. With the COP28 Water Agenda, in collaboration with the Netherlands and Tajikistan, we seek to bridge the insights from the UN Water Conference with the climate community, amplifying our adaptation and mitigation efforts.”
Tajik Minister of Economic Development and Trade, His Excellency Mr. Zavqi Zavqizoda, welcomed the partnership and expressed his commitment to co-lead COP28’s Water Agenda.
“I am pleased that Tajikistan and the Netherlands have recently been invited by the UAE to co-lead the Water Agenda at COP28. We are honored to have this great role and express our strong commitments to work hard to bring water on the top of the climate agenda, since water plays a critical role both in terms of climate adaptation and mitigation and thus greatly contributes to achieving climate resilience,” he said.
René van Hell, Ambassador for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands, also stated, “We need collective action on water and climate now. As co-host of the UN 2023 Water Conference, we firmly believe that the Water Action Agenda commitments, the pathways of change of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, and other initiatives are the backbone for the realization of our goals. Our cooperation will support that, from New York to Dubai, and from Dubai to the world. Tangible outcomes on water and climate at COP28 are essential. There’s no time to waste. We have to act, all together, from public to private sector leaders. And we will.”
This collaborative endeavor will play a crucial role in placing nature, people, lives, and livelihoods at the core of climate action.
Stuart Orr, Freshwater Practice Leader, WWF International, said, “We welcome the partnership with the COP28 Presidency to restore 30% of degraded freshwater ecosystems by 2030, leveraging the Freshwater Challenge. Rivers and wetlands are among our greatest allies in adapting to the climate crisis and need urgent attention and investment that benefits not only nature but also people across the world.”
Furthermore, the UAE and Brazil will jointly host the inaugural UNFCCC high-level dialogue on cultivating water resilience in food systems at COP28. This dialogue will convene ministers, private sector representatives, international organizations, and civil society members to evaluate the resilience of water and food systems within National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Action Plans (NAPs).
Scheduled to occur on Food, Agriculture, and Water Day as part of COP28’s two-week thematic program, this event will be the first of its kind, focusing on innovative investments, regenerative agricultural practices, and national transformation pathways supported by financing mechanisms. The water-focused sessions will delve into topics such as the restoration and safeguarding of freshwater resources, the development of resilient urban water infrastructure, and the integrated governance and management of water-food systems.
As climate change intensifies, billions of individuals worldwide are grappling with severe droughts, floods, and water pollution, exacerbating challenges related to food security, community cohesion, and economic progress. These climate-induced impacts further exacerbate existing issues concerning access to clean drinking water and sanitation.
