HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2026 (HLPF)

It was an honour to deliver the Closing Remarks at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2026 Side Event, "WATERHer: Advancing SDG 6, Women-Led Water Access, Safety & Climate Resilience," held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Pan-African Intergovernmental Agency for Water and Sanitation to the United Nations in my capacity as Special Envoy and Advisor for International Cooperation and Outreach, I had the privilege of bringing together the key outcomes of an important dialogue centred on advancing SDG 6 through stronger partnerships, women's leadership, climate resilience, and community-driven action.

The discussions reinforced a simple but powerful truth: water is not merely infrastructure; it is the foundation of life, health, dignity, education, and sustainable development. We were reminded that women and girls continue to bear the greatest burden of water insecurity, making their leadership indispensable in shaping resilient and inclusive water solutions. The dialogue also highlighted that climate change is already placing unprecedented pressure on water systems, requiring collaborative, locally driven, and sustainable responses.

As we move closer to the 2030 Agenda, our collective responsibility is clear. The commitments made, partnerships strengthened, and initiatives advanced through WATERHer must translate into measurable action that expands access to safe water and sanitation while empowering communities across Africa, the Commonwealth, and beyond.

My sincere appreciation to the Permanent Observer Mission of the Pan-African Intergovernmental Agency for Water and Sanitation to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Burundi as our co-host, our distinguished speakers, government representatives, partners, and every participant whose contributions made this dialogue both meaningful and action-oriented.

Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to transforming today's conversations into lasting impact.