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MOP4_High-level segment

Special session on moving forward on the water and sanitation agenda in the pan-European region: the role of the Protocol on Water and Health in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) and its Sustainable Development Goals will shape the dynamics in which the international community approaches its main challenges. In the pan European region, the Protocol on Water and Health has supported remarkable progress in water, sanitation and health in recent years, in particular in terms of access to water and sanitation, the quality of drinking water and the reduction of water-related disease.
The 2030 Agenda sets ambitious objectives to be achieved in the next 15 years. Reaching them will require stepping-up efforts in the region; more efficient approaches and stronger cross-sectoral partnerships are therefore essential. The Protocol features a number of strengths that make it very relevant to support meeting the 2030 Agenda commitments across the pan-European region.
The special high-level session fostered a strategic discussion between Parties, other States, international and non-governmental organizations and academia on the different perspectives on and expectations for advancing the water and sanitation agenda in the pan-European region and in particular how the Protocol can best fulfil its potential role in this respect and support countries and other stakeholders in their efforts.
Programme of the High-level session in English, French and Russian
Statements ENG FRE RUS
Opening session
Opening of the meeting       
Speech by Mr. Alain Berset, Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, Switzerland  - PDF -
Speech by Mr. Christian Friis Bach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe PDF - -
Speech by Ms. Piroska Östlin, Director of the Division of Policy and Governance for Health and Well-being, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe PDF - -
Special session on moving forward on the water and sanitation agenda in the pan European region: the role of the Protocol on Water and Health in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Vision, challenges and opportunities for achieving the water, sanitation and health-related Goals and targets under the 2030 Agenda
Mr. Jamie Bartram, Director of the Water Institute, University of North Carolina
PDF - -

High-level panel on the role of the Protocol in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with regard to water, sanitation and health

Speech by Mr. Zhandarbek Bekshin, Deputy Chairman, Committee for Protection of Consumers Rights, Ministry of National Economy, Kazakhstan - - PDF
Speech by Mr. Gheorge Brega, Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Moldova PDF - PDF
Speech by Mr. Raniero Guerra, Director General for Health Prevention, Italy PDF - -
Speech by Mr. Jean Launay, Member of Parliament, President of the National Water Committee, President of the French Water Partnership, President of the International network of Basin Organizations for Europe, France - PDF -
Speech by Mr. Basil Rodriques, Senior Regional Adviser, Health Systems and Policy UNICEF PDF - -
Speech by Ms. Agnija Tumkevic, Chief Specialist, Strategic Sectors Policy Division, Economic Security Policy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania PDF - -
Interventions from the floor (compilation)
Statements by France, Norway, Spain, Serbia, Greece, Romania, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Finland, Portugal, Belarus, Croatia, Slovenia and the European Environment and Health Youth Coalition. PDF - -
Last update date: February 10, 2021