The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Friday the appointment of Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi as his special envoy for water. The United Nations stated in a release that this move aims to mobilize partnerships and concerted efforts to advance the water agenda, including following up on the outcomes of the 2023 United Nations Water Conference.
According to the “Jakarta Globe” website, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated that she was chosen as the special envoy to the United Nations on water, a role she will assume after stepping down from her ministerial position.
This marks the first time the United Nations has appointed a special envoy dedicated to the water agenda, and Retno will also be the first Indonesian to become a special envoy for the United Nations.
Egypt welcomed the decision to “create the position of the UN envoy for water” and the announcement that the Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will take up this high-level UN position starting in November.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement today, Saturday, saying, “Egypt had led, along with Germany, an expanded movement in preparation for the 2023 United Nations Water Conference, successfully rallying support from 151 countries with the aim of creating the position of the UN Water Envoy to support the efforts of member states, particularly water-scarce countries, in facing the challenges of achieving the sixth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals concerning water.”
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed its “hope to enhance cooperation with the new UN envoy to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda, in addressing water scarcity, amid significant efforts by the state for sound management of water resources and enhancing transboundary cooperation, in accordance with international law rules.”
According to Youm 7 website, “the decision by the UN Secretary-General to create this UN position is seen as a culmination of Egyptian efforts in developing multilateral work to meet emerging challenges.”
