Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on the Administration’s Actions to Invest in Water Security

On this World Water Day, we reflect on the importance of water and recommit ourselves to pursuing a water-secure world. We are at a significant inflection point in world history.  The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the critical role of sustainable and resilient water systems and the transformational power that safe and accessible water has in the life of each person on Earth.  Global water security is intrinsic to our own national security objectives and foreign policy investments. Our goal is to improve global health, prosperity, stability and resilience through sustainable and equitable water resource management coupled with access to safe drinking water, sanitation services, and hygiene practices.
 
At the UN Water Conference meeting in New York this week, the United States will unveil a series of commitments of up to $49 billion toward the Water Action Agenda that reflect President Biden’s once-in-a-generation investment in equitable access as well as climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure at home and around the world. We will leverage learning from domestic investments and programs to improve and expand the success of our work abroad.
 
Thanks to historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we are helping Americans weather stronger storms and longer droughts through sound investments in resilient infrastructure and new technology. The U.S. government will also deploy all of its available tools and resources to implement the Global Water Strategy. We will leverage the President’s Emergency Plan of Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) to bring together the diplomatic, development and technical expertise of the United States to accelerate financing for adaptation measures, with the goal of helping more than half a billion people in developing countries adapt and manage the impacts of climate change by 2030. In alignment with the Administration’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the U.S. government will collaborate with G7+ partners to unlock public and private capital for quality infrastructure that is climate resilient in low- and middle-income countries to strengthen the resilience of communities, and support inclusive, sustainable development.
 
On the occasion of World Water Day, we take hope in the growing chorus of countries stepping forward to make water security a global priority. Alongside partners and allies, we will seek to leverage our investments, mobilize our expertise, and continue to commit ourselves to achieve water security for all.

###