GENEVA, June 26 (KUNA) -- GCC water initiatives had contributed to the global efforts to face the growing challenges against water resources, Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva Nasser Al-Hayen said on Thursday.
Al-Hayen's statement came on behalf of the GCC group at the panel on human rights in safe drinking water and sanitation held within the 59th session of the Human Rights Council.
The Kuwaiti diplomat mentioned that the GCC had launched several initiatives within this domain including the Saudi establishment of Global Water Organization (GWO) in Riyadh and the upcoming UAE and Senegal co-hosting of the UN conference on water in 2026, the first event after approving the UN unified strategy over water and sanitation of 2024.
In this regard, Ambassador Al-Hayen renewed the GCC's affirmation that clean and safe water was a basic human right similar to healthcare, food, and decent living.
He expressed GCC countries disappointment over some countries preventing such right from being given to the people.
He stressed that the GCC countries paid god attention to water rights, saying that their geographic and atmospheric location made it one of their countries' paramount issues.
He reiterated calls for more international cooperation in this regards through innovative and sustainable solutions ensuring this important human right. (end) imk.gta