Interview with Abou Amani
"To address the water issue, a holistic approach is needed, as water has social, economic, and environmental dimensions".
Sustainability Mag : You participated in the United Nations Conference on Water, which took place in New York this spring, the first one organised in nearly 50 years. Was it time to sound the alarm?
Abou Amani : Absolutely. Although there are already regular events aimed at raising awareness about water-related issues, such as the World Water Forum held every three years or the Stockholm World Water Week held annually, it was high time for such a conference to be held at the United Nations level. This conference brought the issue of water to the heart of global political agendas, as UNESCO had been advocating for. The water conference has given a much-needed boost to international mobilisation, as there is still much to be done to address the challenges in this field.
A new boost, you say. Are there also concrete advancements?
One of the major outcomes is the Water Action Agenda, which brings together over 780 commitments from states, organisations, and civil society to address the challenge of sustainable water resource management. This is a significant advancement. With its widely recognized expertise in this field, UNESCO has played a leading role, particularly in advancing cooperation on transboundary waters and groundwater. Another example is the close and continuous collaboration between the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme and the Water Family of UNESCO, including the Regional Centre for Ecohydrology in Poland, to implement advanced nature-based methods.
When can we expect a proper treaty?
These are lengthy processes. It should be remembered that it took 40 years for the United Nations Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses to be adopted in 1997. It will likely take several more years before an international treaty is established. However, we can already take action without a treaty based on existing legal and normative frameworks. The United Nations General Assembly has notably recognised access to water and sanitation as human rights. This is crucial because the resulting legal instruments can contribute to advancing the resolution of this issue.
The global water situation is critical. What is your diagnosis?
Today, 2 billion people still lack access to clean water, and over 3 billion do not have access to proper sanitation services. Water is a crucial factor for sustainable development, and Sustainable Development Goal 6 is dedicated to ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all. At the current pace, unfortunately, we will not achieve this goal in time. Despite states' efforts, there is still much to be done to address the challenges. To simplify, these challenges revolve around three major observations: too much water (flooding), too little water (droughts), and poor water quality.
Have we fully entered a systemic water crisis?
The impact of climate change is exacerbating the water crisis. It brings significant risks to water accessibility and sanitation services by altering the water cycle, thus weakening the entire system. In response to this, it becomes imperative for governments to implement resilience and adaptation policies to safeguard their populations and human settlements. The extent of our predicament regarding a systemic water crisis depends on the preventive measures that will be put in place.
Water is at the heart of numerous challenges: biodiversity, sustainable development, food resilience, energy, conflicts, migrations... How can we approach such a complex issue?
We need a holistic, integrated, and inclusive approach to address the multifaceted nature of the water issue, which is intertwined with various agendas. It requires interdisciplinary collaboration and, at times, even a transdisciplinary perspective. This approach is vital because water has social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Our primary focus should be on understanding the issue comprehensively: creating global awareness about the central role of water and its intricate connections to all relevant sectors. This understanding will enable us to formulate appropriate and effective policies.
What are our major mistakes in water management up to this point?
One significant mistake is wrongly perceiving water as readily available in many regions worldwide. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that considerable human and technical efforts have been necessary to ensure access to water.
Another mistake is implementing sector-specific policies instead of embracing integrated approaches spanning multiple sectors. For instance, when planning the construction of a dam, it is vital for energy, agriculture, and industry ministries, among others, to collaborate and adopt a holistic approach. States must recognise the importance of integrating policies across sectors.
Lastly, undervaluing water represents a grave mistake. We must raise awareness and shed light on the multiple values of water, including its economic, environmental, social, cultural, and even spiritual significance.
Numerous voices assert that water is often not priced appropriately, discouraging responsible behaviour. What is your perspective on the issue of water pricing?
The provision of tap water incurs costs - for its collection, treatment, distribution, and subsequent reprocessing after use - and must be covered. Should it be the responsibility of governments? Most likely. In any case, the fair distribution of water costs should be prioritised. We should strive for an approach that ensures equal access to water, particularly for the most vulnerable, as clean water is a fundamental human right.
Beyond public authorities and citizens, what message do you wish to convey to businesses today?
The private sector has a crucial role and can contribute in several ways. Firstly, industries must understand their impact and organise themselves to achieve optimal water usage, combating wastage of this vital resource and ensuring proper treatment before it returns to the water cycle. Secondly, companies should integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their investments to generate a positive impact. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, the financial sector must assist governments in bridging a significant financial gap. However, caution is necessary in this regard, as access to water should be available to everyone.
Can technology provide solutions to the water crisis?
Technology plays a substantial role in addressing the water crisis. It empowers governments to monitor their water resources effectively. Numerous innovations exist, ranging from simple ground measurement tools such as rain gauges to remote-sensing technologies that utilise satellite data to inform about expected rainfall quantities, for example. Telecommunication technologies are also indispensable for alerting decision-makers and populations when necessary. Additionally, predictive technologies enable the identification of trends and the anticipation of phenomena.
On a different note, nature-inspired solutions are frequently regarded as holding significant potential for preserving water resources. Could you provide an example of a successful project in this regard?
Indeed, these solutions offer substantial potential, and that is why UNESCO has been studying and promoting them through the Ecohydrology Initiative of the International Hydrological Program for over two decades. We analyse their functioning through our 37 demonstration sites in 26 countries worldwide. This scientific foundation enables us to provide appropriate advice to governments based on the characteristics of their territories. For instance, when addressing water quality, it is relevant to study ecosystems to understand how to eliminate certain pollutants. To illustrate, the Burkitu water reservoir in Ethiopia had been abandoned due to excessive sediment accumulation. In response, communities implemented an ecohydrological approach by planting trees around the reservoir and establishing a sequential biofiltration system with various plant species (SBS). This improved water quality, reduced sedimentation and maintained an adequate water level for the population.
Today, in your opinion, what are the key priority measures to be taken?
I believe three measures should be prioritised to assist governments in adopting a sustainable approach. Firstly, as a prerequisite for any action, states should thoroughly understand their water resource challenges, including available quantity, water quality, and resource locations. Secondly, there is a need for education and awareness. Efforts must be made at all levels to enhance understanding of the water-related challenges and ensure that water is no longer taken for granted. Lastly, governments must establish all necessary instruments and tools to manage water resources adequately, considering the needs and sectoral uses. This management should be conducted collaboratively and inclusively, involving relevant stakeholders in discussions. In many developing countries, for example, young girls and women bear the burden of water fetching without being consulted on its management.
Lastly, if you had to summarise your vision of water?
Water is a common good, a human right that should be well managed, conserved, and protected for sustainable development and future generations.
Abou Amani
Abou Amani is the Director of the Water Sciences Division and Secretary of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme at UNESCO. He is graduate of the Polytechnic School of Thiès in Senegal, holding a degree in civil engineering, and he also holds a PhD from the Polytechnic School of Montreal in Canada. With extensive experience in research and teaching, he has authored over 50 scientific articles.
To be read also in the dossier "The Blue Gold Crisis"