UN report praises Kingdom's achievements in integrated water resources management
The event was held on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN's headquarters, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
It followed UN-Water's recognition of Saudi Arabia as one of the countries showing clear and measurable progress in integrated water resources management under SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) 6.
The Kingdom's delegation, led by Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani, the deputy minister for water at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, presented Saudi Arabia's approach to accelerating the progress of SDG 6.
The event spotlighted successes in the sector and countries making significant strides. Saudi Arabia was highlighted in the report as a success story for its rapid progress in integrated water resources management, the SPA added.
Al-Shaibani said that the Kingdom's efforts had brought notable improvements in efficiency, coordination, and service quality between 2017 and 2023.
The Kingdom's integrated water resources management indicator rose from 57 percent to 83 percent during this period, marking one of the fastest global increases under SDG indicator 6.5.1, he said.
Al-Shaibani stressed that strong support from the Kingdom's leadership had enabled significant structural and organizational reforms to aid sustainable water management.
With substantial investments to expand and modernize water infrastructure, these efforts had raised the Kingdom's 'enabling environment' score from 42 percent in 2017 to 87 percent in 2023, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Former diplomats urge UK prime minister to recognize Palestinian state
LONDON: More than 30 former UK ambassadors and 20 former senior diplomats at the UN have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognize a Palestinian state, as international outrage grows over the distressing scenes in Gaza. The former diplomats have represented the UK in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria and Turkiye, as well as the UN. Their statement adds to the growing pressure on Starmer from ministers and senior figures in the ruling Labour Party, including the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to address the question of Palestine. Starvation has affected the 2 million residents of the Gaza Strip amid Israeli attacks and aid restrictions. Khan said on Wednesday that the scenes in Gaza were harrowing and that 'nothing justifies the actions of the Israeli government.' He asserted that there 'can be no two-state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine.' The former diplomats warned that 'the risks of inaction have profound, historic and catastrophic implications,' and called on Starmer to seize the 'moment to recognise Palestinian statehood unconditionally. '(Israel) cannot be secure from threats in the future if the question of Palestine is not taken forward to a political settlement,' they said. The statement added: 'In the face of the current horror and impunity, words are not enough … a partial suspension of arms sales, delays on trade talks and limited sanctions are far from the full extent of the pressure the UK can bring to bear on Israel.' Recognising a Palestinian state would be a 'foundational first step toward breaking the deadly status quo,' the letter said. The UK has consistently stated it would recognize Palestine in conjunction with allies 'at the point of maximum impact.' A rescheduled international conference will be held in New York City from July 28-29, sponsored by Saudi Arabia and France, to gather support for the recognition of Palestinian statehood. The organizers postponed the gathering planned for June due to the sudden conflict between Israel and Iran that occurred in the same month. Former diplomats urged Starmer to use the event to create a constructive plan that includes statehood for both Palestinians and Israelis. On Wednesday, Stephen Cottrell, the de facto leader of the Church of England, said Israel's 'war of aggression' in Gaza was a 'grave sin.' He said: 'With each passing day in Gaza, the violence, starvation and dehumanization being inflicted on the civilian population by the government of Israel becomes more depraved and unconscionable. 'In the name of God, I cry out against this barbaric assault on human life and dignity. It is a stain on the conscience of the international community and a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law.' Cottrell called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the rebuilding of the Palestinian coastal territory.
Leaders
3 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi FM Receives Written Message from Russian Counterpart
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, has received a written message from the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The message addressed relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia and discussed ways to further consolidate them across all fields. The Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sergey Kozlov, on Wednesday handed the message to the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Riyadh. Al-Khuraiji received the message on behalf of Prince Faisal bin Farhan. During the reception, Al-Khuraiji and Kozlov reviewed ties between Saudi Arabia and Russia and discussed topics of mutual interest. Earlier in July, Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Lavrov during an official visit to Moscow. Both diplomats reviewed bilateral relations and the historical friendship between their nations. They also explored ways to further bolster ties and expand cooperation across various fields. Moreover, the two ministers discussed the recent developments in the region and efforts made to address them. Prince Faisal also praised the robust Saudi-Russian relations and the growing tourist activity between the two countries. 'We hope that the visa exemption agreement will significantly foster tourism cooperation and expand direct flights between both countries,' he said. Short link : Post Views: 10 Related Stories
Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Un's top court says all countries have to act against climate change. here are the key takeaways
The Hague, Netherlands (AP) — The United Nations' top court has issued a landmark advisory opinion on climate change, its 15 black-robed judges weighing in for the first time on what the court's president called an existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life and the very health of our planet. The International Court of Justice's unanimous non-binding opinion, which runs to over 500 pages, was immediately hailed by activists as a turning point in international climate law. After years of lobbying by island nations who fear they could disappear under rising sea waters, the UN General Assembly asked the court in 2023 to answer two questions: What are countries obliged to do under international law to protect the climate and environment from human-caused greenhouse gas emissions? And what are the legal consequences for governments when their acts or lack of action have significantly harmed the climate and environment? Here are some of the key points from the opinion delivered Wednesday. A healthy planet is a basic human right. In a simple statement that could have profound legal ramifications, the court said everyone is entitled to a habitable planet. 'The human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is therefore inherent in the enjoyment of other human rights,' court President Yuji Iwasawa said during a two-hour hearing. A livable planet is a human right and is part of international customary law, meaning every country is obliged to protect it, not just countries that have signed climate treaties and other agreements. Violating international law. A failure to address climate change, the court said, could be a violation of international law. That matters because it applies to all countries and paves the way for legal actions including states returning to the ICJ to hold each other to account, domestic lawsuits, and investment agreements that have to conform to international law. 'With today's authoritative historic ruling, the International Court of Justice has broken with business-as-usual and delivered a historic affirmation: Those suffering the impacts of climate devastation have a right to remedy and full reparation,' said Joie Chowdhury, a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law. Payback time? The court ruled that some countries or individuals suffering from the effects of climate change could be eligible for compensation. 'For climate damage linked to greenhouse gas emissions, restitution may take the form of reconstructing damaged or destroyed infrastructure and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity,' the court said. If that's not possible, financial compensation could be assessed, though the judges conceded it may be difficult to calculate as there is usually a degree of uncertainty with respect to the exact extent of the damage caused. Activists hailed that part of the decision as a historic turning point in their search for justice. 'The ICJ's decision brings us closer to a world where governments can no longer turn a blind eye to their legal responsibilities. It affirms a simple truth of climate justice: Those who did the least to fuel this crisis deserve protection, reparations, and a future,' said Vishal Prasad, director of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. Climate refugees. While the court's opinion is far-reaching, no one expects it to immediately solve the problems created by climate change. The judges noted that people may be forced to flee their homes to escape the dangers posed by climate change, and countries are obliged to not turn away climate refugees when their lives are endangered. 'If a country disappears under rising ocean levels, that country doesn't cease to exist,' they said. For the Pacific Island nations that pushed for the opinion, the threat is real. Since 1993, sea levels around Vanuatu's shores have risen by about 6 millimeters (.24 inches) per year–significantly faster than the global average–and in some areas tectonic activity has doubled that rate.
