Water is the lifeblood of humanity.  It is vital for survival itself and supports the health, resilience, development and prosperity of people and planet alike. But humanit y is blindly travelling a dangerous path.  Vampiric overconsumption and overdevelopment, unsustainable water use, pollution and unchecked global warming are draining humanity’s lifeblood, drop by drop. The effects are all around us – from climate change-driven heatwaves, droughts, floods and violent storms, to the world’s supply of fresh water being contaminated by pollutants, chemicals and torrents of salt water from rising seas. As  this  year’s  report  reminds  us,  protecting  and  preserving  this  precious  resource  for  future  generations  depends on partnerships.  The smart management and conservation of the world’s water resources means bringing together governments, businesses, scientists, civil society and communities – including indigenous communities – to design and deliver concrete solutions. In particular, the 2023 United Nations Water Conference is a critical moment for collective progress – the first major United Nations meeting on water in nearly half a century, and a significant step towards Sustainable Development Goal 6: clean water and sanitation for all. The Conference also reminds us that humanity’s hopes captured by all of the Sustainable Development Goals – from education and health, to human rights, economic progress and climate action – depend on safeguarding our water resources for the future. Now is the moment to stand together and invest in the management and governance of the world’s water resources and freshwater ecosystems.  We must strengthen accountability and equitable water access for all people, and place conservation of this precious resource first across national and global plans and priorities. The  United  Nations  is  proud  to  stand  with  you,  and  to  ensure  that  water  continues  to  sustain  our  ecosystems,  our economies, and the lives, health and future of every person on earth.