UN Special Envoy Calls for Water Security as Strategic Investment

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Water has become more than an environmental concern; it is now a critical issue shaping economic security, food systems, and national resilience, according to UN Secretary‑General’s Special Envoy for Water Retno Marsudi.

Speaking at the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Retno stressed that water underpins economic growth, urban development, food production, and climate adaptation.

“Water affects how economies grow, how our cities function, how we produce food, and how communities respond to climate change,” she said, as quoted by Antara.

She warned that rising populations, expanding cities, and growing economic activity are driving demand for water, while climate change and pollution are intensifying pressure on already strained resources.

The challenge, she noted, is no longer about recognizing water’s importance but about implementing solutions at the scale and speed required.

Retno urged governments and stakeholders to move beyond reactive crisis management toward long‑term strategies that anticipate risks. She highlighted the need to integrate water management with sectors such as energy, housing, transportation, and urban services to build resilient cities.

Calling water a strategic investment priority, Retno emphasized financing, institutional capacity, innovation, and technical expertise. She also underscored the role of private‑sector partnerships, warning that governments and the UN system cannot tackle water challenges alone.

Her remarks came amid concern over slow progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on clean water and sanitation. Current projections suggest that by 2030, three billion people may still lack access to safe sanitation, two billion to safe drinking water, and one billion to basic handwashing facilities.

Retno identified five barriers to progress: inadequate financing, fragmented regulations, limited data and expertise, insufficient scaling of proven solutions, and weak coordination among stakeholders.

She pointed to the upcoming UN Water Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi, co‑hosted by the UAE and Senegal, as a chance to accelerate implementation and shift the global agenda from commitments to measurable outcomes.

For Indonesia, she said, the forum offers an opportunity to share national experiences and strengthen partnerships to secure water, food, and sustainable growth. “From Jakarta to Abu Dhabi and beyond, let us move from recognition to implementation, and from commitment to real results that people can see and feel," she concluded. ***