Lebanon's Minister of Energy and Water Advocates for Water Security and Diplomacy at UN Water Conference

Strategic Insights -

Caretaker Minister of Energy and Water, Dr. Walid Fayyad, recently concluded his visit to New York, where he delivered Lebanon's official speech at the Water Conference, held at the United Nations Headquarters between March 22 and 24, 2023. During the conference, Fayyad emphasized the importance of water security and diplomacy in preventing conflicts and promoting cooperative management of shared water resources. He highlighted the need for sustainable development, collaborative decision-making, and peaceful settlement of disputes as key principles of water diplomacy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Walid Fayyad, Lebanon's Minister of Energy and Water, delivered the country's official speech at the UN Water Conference, emphasizing the importance of water security and diplomacy.
  • Fayyad highlighted three main factors for water security: availability, price and cost, and sustainability.
  • He called for the establishment of a UN envoy on water issues and a new center at the UN to activate water diplomacy.
  • Fayyad emphasized the need for countries to use water diplomacy to prevent conflicts and create an environment for peaceful and constructive cooperation.
  • He stressed the importance of sustainable development, collaborative decision-making, and peaceful settlement of disputes as key principles of water diplomacy.
  • Fayyad expressed Lebanon's aspiration to build on the outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh conference and participate in the upcoming COP28 in the UAE.
  • The Minister also participated in several side events, including those organized by the League of Arab States, ESCWA, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the US Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Linda Adams.

Statistics:

  • The UN Water Conference was held between March 22 and 24, 2023.
  • Lebanon's Minister of Energy and Water, Dr. Walid Fayyad, delivered nine interventions during the conference.
  • The conference focused on cross-border cooperation, international cooperation, and cross-sectoral cooperation in the water field.
  • 14 countries participated in the conference, including Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
  • The conference had two sideline events, one organized by the League of Arab States and ESCWA, and the other by the Egyptian Republic.

Sources:

  • National news agency - Lebanon, 25 March 2023
  • UN Water Conference, 22-24 March 2023