Secretary-General, in Video Message to Budapest Water Summit, Urges Partnership to Make Common Vision of Healthy, Sustainable Planet ‘a Reality’

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Budapest Water Summit, in Budapest today:

Your Excellency János Áder, President of Hungary, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to send greetings to the second Budapest Water Summit.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change have opened a new era of promise for people and the planet.

United Nations Member States have committed to eradicate extreme poverty, improve health, reduce inequality and safeguard the environment for this generation and those to come.

To achieve sustainable development, we must transform how we manage our resources.  Water is one of the most precious.  We must invest in water and sanitation for the benefit of all.

We must build capacity, exchange best practices and engage all stakeholders — Governments, international organizations, scientists and policy makers, the private sector and civil society.

We have been given a blueprint for peace, prosperity and dignity on a healthy planet.  Let us work in partnership to make this common vision a reality.  I wish you a successful summit.  Thank you.