28.03.2017

Speech by Manuel Sager

Ambassador and Director General of the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency SDC

2017 Arab-Swiss Water Day

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Rednerin/Redner: Manuel Sager

Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, 

It’s a great pleasure to welcome you to this Arab-Swiss water day. 

Yesterday, on the occasion of the 2017 Arab DAC Dialogue on Development, we discussed how to support partner countries in achieving the new sustainable development agenda by 2030. Today, we shall continue this discussion and look at how Arab and DAC donors can support developing countries in achieving the water-related targets of the 2030 Agenda. 

By adopting the Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation, the international community has recognized the urgent need to address water and sanitation issues globally. Although the adoption of this standalone goal was a great achievement in itself, it marks just the beginning of our collective efforts to address the many challenges related to water. Today is an important moment for us to share our different experiences and lessons learnt to achieve our goal of a water-secure world for all. 

Ladies and Gentlemen 

We are moving dangerously close towards a world without enough fresh water. The 2017 Global Risk Report rates the water crisis third on the list of global risks that threaten humanity. Predictions suggest that global water demand will increase by another 55% by 2030. If we do not act, over half of the world’s population could be living in water-stressed regions by 2050. 

Already today, some 660 million people do not have access to adequate water sources, and a third of the world’s population lacks access to basic sanitation services, such as toilets or latrines. Each day, nearly 1,000 children die from sanitation-related diarrheal diseases that are entirely preventable. Over 80% of waste water goes directly into the environment without treatment. 

Population growth, urbanization and changes in production and consumption patterns will continue to strain water resources and ecosystems. Climate change adds to the challenge by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. In fact, the looming water crisis is not just a threat – it is a threat multiplier that has implications for food and energy as well as political and social stability. Water scarcity threatens to fuel conflicts and add to the fragility of countries and regions, particularly in the developing world. 

You might wonder: Why should Switzerland pay particular attention to SDG 6? After all, our country is blessed with plenty of high-quality water resources; five percent of Europe's freshwater resources are located in Switzerland. A major part of this water is stored in our lakes, glaciers, and groundwater. 

Yet, we have recognized we are part of the problem and therefore bear a responsibility to become part of the solution. We import many products, especially food, that are water-intensive. As a participant in the global economy, Switzerland imports roughly 50 million tons of goods valued at CHF 250 billion from abroad. Many of these goods originate from regions under intense water stress, whether linked to shortages or pollution. This is why around 8% of Swiss official development aid is dedicated to water and sanitation programs. 

SDG 6 covers all aspects of the water cycle. It also focuses on the right to water and sanitation. It mentions the importance of achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water as well as sanitation and hygiene for all. These rights entitle everyone to sufficient, safe, accessible and affordable water for essential personal and domestic use. This does not mean that water and sanitation should be delivered for free or at a highly subsidized price. But the tariff must be fair and within reach of the poorest. 

Greater equity is important in this context because competition over water resources can be particularly destabilizing in catchment basins that straddle political borders. The world's 263 shared lakes and river basins cover nearly half of the Earth's land surface. The construction of dams in upstream countries or the competition between hydropower and agriculture are challenges that can only be resolved through cooperation. Switzerland itself had to learn how to overcome conflicting interests over transboundary waters, such as in the case of the Rhine River or Lake Geneva. 

Ladies and Gentlemen 

Water is not only a potential source of conflict, it can also be a driver for development, cooperation and dialogue. This notion lies at the heart of Swiss water diplomacy. One of our main activities is Blue Diplomacy in different regions, including the Middle East, and Central Asia. We seek to strengthen water collaboration through dialogue and capacity building programs. Switzerland supports efforts to strengthen good governance and management mechanisms in over 17 shared river basins worldwide. 

In addition to these local and regional measures, we consider it essential to have a global dialogue on water and peace that highlights best practices in water collaboration. This is why Switzerland has initiated the Global High Level Panel on Water and Peace that was launched two years ago in Geneva. This year in May the panel will conclude its work and present a set of recommendations on how to strengthen the global architecture to prevent and resolve water-related conflicts. 

A number of promising initiatives are already underway, but we must double down on our efforts. Let me just highlight a few key areas: 

First, we need to further build on key partnerships. While governments have a responsibility for the design and implementation of policies and regulations, civil society and the private sector have a key role to play, too. Switzerland is already engaged in several public-private partnerships. One example is our work on the water footprint. We have supported the adoption of an ISO standard on the water footprint, and we work closely with governments, NGOs and a dozen leading companies to improve irrigation efficiency in production systems such as coffee. 

Second, we will need to deploy scientific and technological innovation. The global data, information and computer technology revolution must be used for the development of innovative solutions in the water sector. Many of our partner countries are unable to provide, manage or deliver the necessary information to help decision-makers take appropriate and timely investment decisions. Many of them lack low-cost and user-friendly technologies, or the expertise, to gather and process data. 

Third, we need to promote access to sustainable financing mechanisms. An estimated USD 50 billion will be needed every year to achieve universal access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene. Yet in 77% of countries, public finance is still insufficient to meet these targets. Significant investment, particularly in infrastructure, is needed. These investments may be high, but they are worthwhile: the benefits exceed the cost of an intervention by between 3 to 6 times, depending on the type.  To meet SDG 6, we will not only need to tap new sources of financing but also use existing funds more effectively. Better governance and accountability are crucial. 

Finally, we need to be mindful of pro-poor and inclusive strategies. Experience has shown that governments alone cannot implement all water projects. Making the local community part of their own development solutions is critical, if we are to meet SDG targets. Therefore, financing and programmatic strategies that follow “pro-poor” principles have a much greater chance of delivering long-lasting impact. This means involving water users in decision-making, particularly women, minorities and the most marginalized groups in the community. 

Ladies and Gentlemen 

To respond adequately to the water crisis, whether at global or regional level, or in our respective partner countries, we need a common understanding of the challenges and opportunities, as well as a joint vision of how to move forward. I hope that this Arab-Swiss Water Day will serve as a platform to create such a vision and allow us to deepen our knowledge and networks. Our common goal is a water-secure world for all. We simply cannot afford to miss this target.    

In this spirit, I wish you all very enriching and constructive discussions.

Thank you.


Dernière mise à jour 29.01.2022

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