On Friday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Retno L.P. Marsudi of Indonesia as his Special Envoy on Water, marking a significant step toward global water security.
Marsudi, who has served as Indonesia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2014 to October 2024, will assume her new role on November 1. Her appointment aims to galvanize partnerships and concerted efforts to advance the global water agenda, including follow-up on the outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference.
In her capacity as Special Envoy on Water, Marsudi will advocate for stronger political, economic, and sociocultural cooperation at all levels to ensure a water-secure future for all. She will work to enhance international collaboration and synergy among various international water processes, supporting the achievement of all water-related goals and targets, including Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Marsudi will draw on these outcomes in the lead-up to various global water processes, particularly the UN 2026 Water Conference,” said a press release issued by the United Nations.
Representing the UN chief in global water processes, Marsudi will also collaborate with UN-Water and its members to support the implementation of the UN System-wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation at all levels, aligning with the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework.
Marsudi’s extensive experience in international diplomacy positions her uniquely to address the pressing challenges of water security. Her leadership is expected to foster greater cooperation among nations and stakeholders, particularly in Asia, where water resources are critical to economic development and social well-being.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
