Mr. President,
Cuba associates itself with the statements made by Egypt on behalf of the G77 and Maldives on behalf of the Small Island Developing States.
We welcome the convening of this timely high-level event to launch the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development", 2018-2028.
The issue of water is at the heart of human survival. As it is wisely asserted: "Water is Life". Access to this resource is a human right whose full enjoyment by all is an objective yet to be reached.
SDG 6: Ensuring the availability of water and its sustainable management and sanitation for all confronts us with challenging goals which require the commitment and responsibility of governments.
We hope that this Decade will encourage tangible actions and commitments aimed at achieving equitable and sufficient access to water and sanitation for those who lack it. If we do not act quickly and effectively, more than 3 billion people will suffer the consequences of water scarcity by 2025.
It is important to further complement national efforts with strong international cooperation, including innovative forms such as triangular and South-South collaboration, to effectively ensure that no one is left behind.
Additionally, international cooperation should be strengthened to contribute to infrastructure development, human capacity building in the area of water and hydraulic resource management, adaptation to climate change, as well as innovation and transfer of technology to improve access to hydraulic resources and sanitation.
The creation of financial funds and mechanisms to ensure the mobilization of financial and technological resources should be promoted in order to increase the coverage of drinking water and environmental sanitation, agricultural and aquaculture production, integrated water management and sustainable management of ecosystems.
Mr. President,
In view of the geographic configuration of Cuba and the lack of large and plentiful rivers, coupled with the long periods of drought that affect several regions of our territory, the adequate use of existing water resources is particularly significant for our country.
We have performed a large number of actions to guarantee the human right to water and sanitation. At present, 95.5 percent of the Cuban population has drinking water coverage, a significant figure on a global and regional basis.
The National Water Policy was approved in Cuba since 2012, which strengthened state control over water resources. This Policy puts forward 22 principles and four priorities, the first of which is its rational use. In addition, the efficient use of the existing infrastructure and the perception of risk on water quality and climate events are priorities.
Cuba is currently engaged in an extensive loss reduction programme, is making considerable investment in the construction of water transfers, deployment of desalination plants and building wastewater treatment plants, as well as in transforming the energy matrix of water supply systems.
Last year, Cuba passed the Inland Water Law, which mandates the integrated and sustainable management of inland waters in the country, based on the general interest of society, health, environment and economy.
Despite progress, as in the rest of developing countries, Cuba is facing dissimilar challenges posed by climate change, natural disasters and water scarcity.
The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the Government of the United States against Cuba for more than half a century has resulted in important limitations and obstacles to access new technologies and products of the water industry and their benefits, as well as to enhance professional training on these issues.
Mr. President,
It is regrettable that natural resources, including water, are subject to commercial manipulation to serve the interests of large transnationals, to the detriment of the wellbeing of peoples.
The internationalization of the water problem makes it imperative that the United Nations become the main forum for discussion and agreement through consensus on the issue of water and sanitation.
We reiterate Cuba's commitment to continue to defend the right to drinking water and sanitation under equal conditions, without discrimination and in sufficient quantity and quality as an inalienable human right.
Thank you very much.