Interactive Discussion on Water (afternoon session)

We see three areas where consensus decisions by this body can advance implementation: we can give guidance to UN Water; we can give guidance to the CSD Secretariat; and we can make recommendations to existing processes about the important role they can play to facilitate coordination and build and support partnerships.

Specifically, CSD 13 could ask UN Water to:

• Facilitate country level coordination among the UN agencies;
• Promote broader cooperation among the UN agencies on monitoring activities, and be the focal point for reporting results from these activities;
• Initiate the development of multi-agency initiatives in priority areas;
• Conduct consultations with interested governments to report out on UN Water activities and present opportunities for partnership with UN agencies on water and sanitation activities;
• And finally, UN water should articulate the individual roles and responsibilities of the UN agencies working on water.

CSD 13 could ask the CSD Secretariat to do the following:

• Further develop and strengthen the CSD Partnerships Database.
• Continue its efforts to develop web-based information sharing tools that disseminate implementation-relevant information on sustainable development. In developing these information sharing tools, the Secretariat should reach out to and cooperate with other bodies within and outside the UN system to minimize duplication.
• Make the Matrix of Policy Options and Practical Measures a living document and provide a mechanism for governments, international organizations, and major groups to provide additional case studies. An extra moment on this Mr. Chairman. A number of delegations have expressed an interest in continuing to add to the Matrix. We are extremely pleased to see that the Secretariat has now created a web-based system for adding case studies. We strongly hope the Matrix of Policy Options and Practical Measures can become a living document and a formal outcome of CSD 13.

Finally, CSD 13 can make recommendations to a number of national, regional, and global institutions and events that address water and sanitation.

• For example, the World Water Forum and Stockholm Water Week could create opportunities for identifying gaps in implementation and tracking progress. They could also promote the exchange of best practices and lessons learned.

• There are also a number of regional and thematic events like the Water Weeks held by regional development banks (for example African Development Bank’s Water Week), meetings of the African Ministers Council on Water, the Global WASH Forum, or meetings of basin organizations such as the Nile Basin Initiative – all meetings that happen in the regions with implementers. We can recommend using these events as opportunities to foster implementation on priority areas in each regions.

Mr. Chair, we have made a great deal of progress over the past two years. But this is only the beginning. A greater role for UN Water, a more capable CSD Secretariat, and a thoughtful consideration of how we use international and regional events to promote cooperation and advance partnerships will help us continue this momentum. Thank you Mr. Chairman.