Co-Chairs,
Germany aligns itself fully with the statement of the European Union. I would like to make a few remarks in national capacity.

We want to thank the Co-Hosts, Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, but also UN DESA, for the tireless efforts in preparing today’s event and the entire preparatory process so far.

Allow me also to convey Germany’s strong commitment and support to make this conference a success. The UN 2026 Water Conference can shape progress on water for the years to come and well beyond 2030.

To be successful entails for us four key criteria, that must be taken into consideration.

1. The conference needs to reflect the unifying and cross-sectoral character of water. If we fail in addressing the water crisis, in a comprehensive manner, we will ultimately fail in all SDGs.

2. We need a preparatory process that is comprehensive, transparent and participatory. Yes, member states are in the lead, but we need all relevant stakeholders on board, from the UN system to civil society. All these critical voices must be heard.

3. We should build on the existing momentum and on the themes of the Water Conference 2023. This includes a strong focus on critical topics such as the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, food and agriculture, or transboundary and international water cooperation. The rational of the latter has just been very eloquently been addressed by HE the PR of Lesotho.

4. Finally, aready today, we must look beyond the 2026 conference to be impactful. What we need is a continued intergovernmental process if we want to reach our common objective which is focused, joint action and ambitious steps on water.

Co-Chairs,
With the 2026 Water Conference we have collectively called for the first time to deal with all aspects of SDG 6 in a comprehensive manner.

This conference has the potential to drive global cooperation and accelerate critically needed progress on water. We believe this is an opportunity not to be missed.

In this regard, I want to reiterate our full support for your important work.
I thank you.