Chair,

I thank Slovenia, Algeria, Panama, and Sierra Leone for initiating the meeting today. I have listened attentively to the briefings by the four briefers.

Water is fundamental to human survival and development. Protecting water resources and related infrastructure is not only a development issue, but also a matter of peace and security. I wish to emphasize three points.

First, we must adhere to the political settlement of hotspot issues. People in conflict-affected regions already suffer immensely from war. Attacks on water resources and related infrastructure would result in severe water supply crises, exacerbating the hardships of the local population, especially the most vulnerable groups. We must actively promote the political settlement of hotspot issues to fundamentally eliminate the damages caused by armed conflicts to water resources and related infrastructure, and to create a world where everyone has access to safe water.

Second, we must strictly abide by international humanitarian law. Under no circumstances should water resources and related infrastructure be targeted. We call on parties to the conflict to put the people first, protect water resources and related infrastructure with utmost efforts, and facilitate the work of humanitarian agencies as much as possible. It is imperative for the international community to increase humanitarian assistance on the basis of neutrality, impartiality, justice, and independence, to provide clean and safe water to people in conflict zones and to help repair and renovate damaged water infrastructure.

Third, we must stay committed to dialogue and cooperation. It is often the people in developing countries who are most severely plagued by water use and water supply crises. We support the UN in coordinating and facilitating global water cooperation. Developed countries need to earnestly fulfill their ODA commitments and provide developing countries with the necessary funding, technological, and capacity building support. Disputes concerning water resources should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation among riparian states on the basis of international law.

Chair,

China remains highly committed to the sustainable development of water resources and international cooperation in this area. With mere 6% of the world’s fresh water resources, China has ensured water supplies for nearly 20% of the global population. We also actively assist the vast number of developing countries with water conservancy projects, engage in results-oriented cooperation, and support the development of water conservancy cause worldwide. We stand ready to work alongside the international community to make greater contributions to the protection of water resources.

I thank you, Chair.