This year's terrible floods and droughts in almost all corners of the planet illustrate the critical importance of water to all aspects of society and the environment,” said the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which includes 56 member States in Europe, North America and Asia.

“More than three billion people depend on water that crosses national borders. This makes transboundary water cooperation a crucial foundation for peace, sustainable development and climate action,” insisted UNECE Executive Secretary, Olga Algayerova, at the launch of the Transboundary Water Cooperation Coalition, during the UN-Water Groundwater Summit in Paris.

The decision to form the Coalition comes ahead of the second UN Water Conference, from 22 to 24 March 2023. Equitable water management and security is high on the list of the UN’s priorities as a means of preventing conflict, and it is also a Sustainable Development Goal.