– Check against delivery –
Minister Bárcena,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We live in a time of profound geopolitical change. And environmental crises are intensifying at the same time. These crises are linked to water and a disrupted global water cycle – unfortunately, water is now a driver of crises.
Every country, including Germany and Mexico, faces new and growing water challenges. We are aware that we need to increase our resilience with new strategies. Water is an increasingly important factor in decisions about where companies locate their operations – not only in Germany, but also in terms of securing our global supply chains. This fact alone explains why Germany is committed to water issues at international level as well.
It is also why we cooperate with key partners like Mexico: We know that water problems in Mexico would also affect Germany – because our economies are so closely linked. On the other hand, Germany is facing completely new challenges like extreme drought. Mexico has already found some solutions that we can learn from.
I am grateful to Mexico for our excellent cooperation and the trust we have built over many years. And this partnership gives me confidence as we face the enormous undertaking ahead: Together, we want to use our influence to make the 2026 UN Water Conference a success.
We support concrete steps within the United Nations towards stronger and more efficient cooperation on water. However, at a time when the UN system is being reformed, we should avoid creating new organisations and processes.
We need a streamlined yet ongoing process to address water with the Member States. Let’s not forget: Almost 50 years have passed between the first and second UN Water Conference. This is not an option moving forward. Water must not continue to fuel crises – it can become a driver for cooperation across sectors.
We need a regular political forum on water where we define goals and continually review their implementation. I am looking forward to discussing these issues in the run-up to the conference in December. We would invite all countries and stakeholders that value water to join our interactive dialogue.
Clean water must be guaranteed for everyone. Let’s work together towards this goal.
Thank you.