In a message marking World Water Day, the UN chief stressed the need to improve distribution capacity, workforce training, and sustainable financing to ensure reliable access to water. He emphasized that stronger national systems are essential to meeting growing demand and addressing the impacts of climate-related disruptions.
Guterres highlighted that access to safe drinking water and sanitation is fundamental to human rights and public health, particularly for women and girls. When such access is lacking, he warned, women and girls are disproportionately affected, often facing unsafe sanitation conditions and increased caregiving burdens due to waterborne diseases.
He also called on developed countries to share technology, expertise, and financial resources to help build safe, resilient, and sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure worldwide.
Within this global effort, the UN chief stressed the importance of involving women in decision-making processes to ensure that water systems adequately respond to their needs.
This call comes ahead of the upcoming United Nations Water Conference 2026, scheduled to take place from December 2 to 4 in the United Arab Emirates, which aims to accelerate progress toward universal access to water and sanitation.
“Together, let us make water a driver of gender equality and ensure its benefits reach all communities around the world,” Guterres concluded.
