Budapest hosted the seventh meeting of the parties to the UN-WHO Protocol on Water and Health over three days. Representatives from more than 40 countries discussed how to make drinking-water supply and wastewater services more resilient to future challenges.
Delegates stressed the need for joint action on climate change, water-related diseases and declining water quality. They agreed that safe water and adequate hygiene are basic rights that must be available to everyone.
At the conference, Hungary handed the presidency to Moldova. Márta Vargha, an expert at Hungary’s National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, was elected vice-president of the agreement.
Hungarian specialists contributed to a new WHO publication on embedding equity in drinking-water policies in the European Region. It examines equal access to safe drinking water and wastewater treatment, outlines key challenges and offers practical examples and tools for decision-makers.
Delegates welcomed North Macedonia and Uzbekistan joining the Protocol in 2023. Ratification is under way in several countries, including Italy, Ireland and Kazakhstan.
The statement and recommendations adopted at the meeting will also support preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference in the United Arab Emirates. The document calls for faster progress in access to safe water and sanitation, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
