The human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, derived from the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, as well as the right to life and human dignity has been internationally recognized since 2010 in various international instruments. However, billions of people lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation in their homes, schools, health facilities, and workplaces, with devastating consequences for human rights, as clearly demonstrated during the COVID 19 pandemic. Water also impacts, inter alia, the right to work, and the right to adequate food and is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.

We are gravely concerned that the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and other pressures continue to adversely affect the quantity and quality of water available to sustain life and maintain healthy ecosystems. The impacts of the global water crisis, including water pollution, water scarcity, and water-related disasters gravely threaten the enjoyment of many human rights. The risks for persons already facing vulnerable situations are particularly acute.

In order to strengthen our collective commitment to SDG 6, we recall the decision of the UN General Assembly to convene, from 22 to 24 March 2023, the UN Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028, and to involve all relevant stakeholders to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as support further action to implement, the objectives of the Decade and the water-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda.

We also request OHCHR to maintain its active engagement in UN Water, and remain actively engaged in the process leading up to the 2023 UN Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review, including by involving all relevant human rights bodies and special procedures, whom we invite to continue participating in key discussions and report on the promotion and protection of human rights related to water, including identifying best practices and concrete areas and means for international cooperation.