Press Release

Minister for Water Supply Hon. Mr. Mani Chandra Thapa called for an urgent global action to safeguard the health of high mountains and rivers in view of their organic link with biodiversity and the people.

Addressing the High-level Meeting on the ‘Implementation of the Water-related Goals and Targets of the 2030 Agenda’ through a pre-recorded video this morning, Hon. Mr. Thapa underscored the importance of Nepal’s high mountains as ‘water towers and custodians of ecosystems’. He said that the rivers emanating from them travel downstream unfolding an intrinsic hydrological link that binds over 1.5 billion people living in South Asia.

He dubbed the water-related goals and targets as essential enabler to the realization of the 2030 Agenda given their connection with quality health, poverty eradication, renewable energy, equal access to education, gender equality, and human rights.

Briefly highlighting Nepal’s achievements made in the sector of water and sanitation, he stated that over 90% of people have access to drinking water, while about 99% have access to basic sanitation facilities.

Hon. Mr. Thapa also expressed Nepal’s commitment to address all forms of water pollution, prevent water-related disasters, and build resilience against climate change.

The high-level meeting is being convened by the President of the UN General Assembly under the theme of ‘Scaling-up multilateral cooperation and accelerating concrete actions to meet the water-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’.  A total of 86 speakers including six Heads of State/Government and 58 Ministers have participated at the event through virtual platform.

Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations                      

New York

22 March 2021