The 2020 edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR 2020) is entitled ‘Water and Climate Change’. Climate change will affect the availability, quality and quantity of water for basic human needs, threatening the effective enjoyment of the human rights to water and sanitation for potentially billions of people. The alteration of the water cycle will also pose risks for energy production, food security, human health, economic development and poverty reduction, thus seriously jeopardizing the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The WWDR 2020 focuses on the challenges, opportunities and potential responses to climate change, in terms of adaptation, mitigation and improved resilience that can be addressed through improving water management.
The Webinar on the 2020 United Nations World Water Development Report “Water and Climate Change” for RCs and UNCTs of Europe and Central Asia is scheduled on 27 May 2020.
The WWDR 2020 is targeted to all those involved in the formulation and implementation of water-related policies. The report shows where systems are failing, and provides the information needed for efficient and effective capacity-building and evidence-based decisionmaking. WWDR represents an important tool for RCs and UNCTs as they work at the country level with key national stakeholders to promote effective management of water resources and/ or climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The recently created Issue Based Coalition (IBC) on Environment and Climate Change provides a regional platform for UN agencies to support Member States in Europe and Central Asia in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The IBC consists of the following membership: FAO, ILO, IOM, ITU, OHCHR, UN Habitat, UN Women, UNDP, UNDRR, UNECE, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFCCC, UNICEF, UNOPS, WFP, WHO and WMO. The IBC also works very closely with UNDCO for Europe and Central Asia. The IBC’s main goal is to support RCs and UNCTs in the Europe and Central Asia region on environmental and climate change issues.
An initial survey conducted by the IBC with RCs from Europe and Central Asia indicated that water and climate change were two priority issues in the region. As such, the topic of the report and its recommendations should be extremely relevant to RCs and UNCTs in the region.
The objective of this webinar is to present the results of the WWDR on Water and Climate Change, notably its regional perspective for Europe and Central Asia, and to initiate a discussion with RCs and members of UNCTs that are planning, implementing and monitoring water and climate activities. It will seek to provide them with data, tools and recommendations on how to assist member states that need to effectively and efficiently manage their water resources in this climate change era.
The webinar is organized by UNESCO and UNECE, in coordination with UNDCO for Europe and Central Asia, and with the participation of IBC members, and RCs and UNCTs from the region.
Links
Download WWDR 2020 Report https://en.unesco.org/themes/water-security/wwap/wwdr/2020#d...
World Water Development Report 2020 – Water and Climate Change https://en.unesco.org/themes/water-security/wwap/wwdr/2020
Issue Based Coalition (IBC) on Environment and Climate Change http://www.unece.org/runcwelcome/issue-based-coalitions/envi...