22-24 March 2023, New York – PAM participated in  the 2023 Conference for the Midterm Comprehensive Review of Implementation of the UN Decade for Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028). The eventwas held at the UN Headquarter in New York, and co-hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands. The Assembly was represented by Hon Ayesha AlMulla (UAE).

This UN conference on  Water,  “world's lifeblood” according to UNSG António Guterres, mobilized Member States, the UN system, cıvil society and stakeholders alike to discuss and take actions to achieve water security.

During the interactive dialogue dedicated to Water for Health, Hon. AlMulla focused on the issue of water security, sanitation, safe drinking water  and hygiene in the Euro Mediterranean and Gulf regions.

Hon. AlMulla also highlighted the issue of water poverty and stress, stating that millions of people suffer from poor access to water or safely managed drinking water services in the Mediterranean basin. She recalled that it is impossible to survive without water for three consecutive days. She also called for the resumption of negotiations over the Nile basin issue, among the countries concerned, and in compliance with international law.

Hon. AlMulla  emphasized the increasing number of countries, namely Morocco, Egypt, Slovenia and Tunisia, who have recognized the right to safe drinking water as a human right in their constitutions. It demonstrates the crucial role of legislation, and the need to go further by translating constitutional recognition into effective and concrete measures, in order to build social and environmental resilience.

The issue of available, accessible, safe, and affordable water and sanitation for all is an absolute priority for PAM, which has appointed a special Rapporteur on the Right to Water Access and Sanitation - Hon. Gabriel Amard (France) - and will organize several missions in the PAM region to evaluate the status of the right to water and sanitation at the national level.

Finally, on the occasion of 2024 PAM Plenary Session,  a Report including recommendations to Member States to improve access to clean water and sanitation and guarantee the protection of human rights in this matter will be presented.//