Water is the lifeblood of our planet. It underpins all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is central to the entire 2030 Agenda. The current water crisis has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges of our time, impacting food security, livelihoods, the well-being of billions of people worldwide and of our planet. Addressing this global crisis – water scarcity, drought, floods and water pollution – is essential to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, for which urgent action, strong political will and enhanced financing are needed to value and manage water in an integrated manner. 

Recognizing the crucial importance of water to achieve all SDGs and FAO’s commitments towards a water secure world, water has been chosen as the focus of the general debate of the 43rd Session of the FAO Conference which will take place at its headquarters, Rome, Italy, from 1 to 7 July 2023. FAO will also propose the theme “Water resources management for the four betters: better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, to achieve Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals” for all FAO Governing Bodies’ sessions to be held during the 2024-25 biennium. 

As part of the agenda of the general debate of the Conference, FAO will organize, from 3 to 5 July, three Roundtables focused on water, on the following themes: “Water scarcity: Making water flow for people and the planet” (3 July), “Integrated Flood Risk Management” (4 July) and “Water Infrastructure” (5 July). These Roundtables will provide FAO Member States with an excellent opportunity to discuss water-related challenges, share understanding of their importance, risks and impacts on our society, economies and environment, exchange lessons learned, and discuss the recommendations and needs to build resilient agrifood- systems and support rural development. 

To further highlight the central role of water to achieve food security and improved nutrition, FAO will organize an art exhibition at its headquarters during the whole period of the Conference, with sculptures by world-renowned artist Fiorenzo Zaffina. Discover more about the art exhbition here.

More information and the agenda of the Roundtables will be soon available here. 

You can follow the Roundtables via webcast here:

•  “Water scarcity: Making water flow for people and the planet”, 3 July 2023, 9:00-12:00 (CEST), click here >>
• “Integrated Flood Risk Management”, 4 July 2023, 9:30-12:00 (CEST), click here >>
• “Water Infrastructure”, 5 July 2023, 9:30-12:00 (CEST), click here >>

Visit the FLick Album here.