Statement by Royston Alkins, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Guyana to the UN, at the Informal Plenary Meeting of the UNGA to promote the achievement of SDG 6: Ensuring availability & sustainable management of water & sanitation for all

Mr. President,

Guyana welcomes the convening of today’s informal plenary meeting to promote the achievement of SDG6. We have listened keenly to all the keynote interventions on this important topic.

We also thank Senegal and the United Arab Emirates for co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference to build upon the discussions held during the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the International Decade for Action on Water in 2023.

President,

There is perhaps no other natural resource more vital than water. Guyana is committed to achieving SDG 6 and has implemented several initiatives at the local level through our Local Carbon Development Strategy 2030 in that regard.

The Strategy is anchored in achieving Integrated Water Resources Management to progress in other areas of national priorities including energy and food security.

Improving access to water and increasing the efficiency of water use, especially in rural communities also form part of the Government's development agenda.

The LCDS 2030 embodies Guyana’s contribution to the global effort to mitigate the threat of climate change and biodiversity loss, through the preservation of our forest. The conservation of our freshwater resources is a critical part of the strategy.

President,

In that context, we support the adoption of today’s decision, which outlines the six interactive dialogues for the 2026 conference.

We are pleased by the inclusion of a sixth session on the investments for Water which focuses on financing, technology and innovation, and capacity building. We support the need for a comprehensive focus on means of implementation, recognizing the importance of mobilizing finance to achieve our global water-related goals.

In addition, being part of the Amazon Basin, Guyana reiterates its commitment to regional transboundary cooperation to promote the harmonious development of the Amazon. 

The Amazon provides a plethora of ecosystem services including a rich endowment of biodiversity - It has an indispensable role in global climate regulation and the cycling of 20% of the world’s freshwater resources.

In that context, we support the continuity in having a session on Water for Cooperation not only to build on the platform laid in 2023 but also to further advance the water-security nexus within the Security Council.

This will also complement the session on Water for Planet and Water for Prosperity, which will further progress the dialogue on the interlinkages between water and climate change and emphasize the Water-Energy-Food nexus. In closing Guyana stands ready to contribute to ensuring that the 2026 conference accelerates the implementation of SDG6.

I thank you.