The Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations Conference on Water concluded in the morning
At the end of the second day of the preparatory meeting in view of the UN Water Conference of 2023, the UNECE term countries took stock of what was stated during the works in order to consolidate collaboration between States and facilitate implementation interventions in policies aimed at sustainable development and, also by attracting private funding, in technologies and solutions to ensure drinking water, safe, available and accessible in sufficient quantities to the entire population and to meet the needs in all sectors. In particular, it aims to strengthen water management and its planetary distribution, increase climate resilience and improve knowledge, management and protection of groundwater as well as progress through data exchange, research and innovation.
We talked about the importance of preserving ecosystems and biodiversity, reducing aquifer pollution and applying policies aimed at encouraging forms of circular economy, in particular in the management of raw materials and waste. The principle was unanimously affirmed that preventing pollution costs less than the cost of repairing environmental damage.
Much attention has been paid to water pollution due to microplastics and in this regard a permanent technical table has been outlined to prevent the degeneration of the problem.
More and more we realize how important it is to deal with countries that have the same needs and intend to achieve the same objectives. All the delegations of the States participating in the meeting reiterated the importance of promoting the topic and the need to promote conferences to guide the policies of the countries, the importance of sharing strategies and experiences, encouraging the establishment of working groups to produce documents in every language country with the aim of disseminating information and coordinating efforts to cooperate in water management.
Stefano Canti (Secretary of State for the Territory and the Environment): “Teaming up is important to implement the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and, especially for our small country, sharing information represents an opportunity for growth that today becomes indispensable for sustainable development while respecting the environment. On the front of the fight against pollution and for the reduction of disposable plastics we have done a lot and in this regard the changes to the environmental code go in this direction. I remind you that, with effect from 1 January 2022, the marketing and distribution of plastic bags as well as the marketing, distribution and use of disposable plastic containers and tableware are prohibited, with the exception of compostable ones certified according to the European standard. EN 13432. Stocks are allowed to run out no later than June 30, 2022, therefore from July 1, San Marino will take the first step towards Plastic Free “.
Cs – Secretariat of State for the Territory