’Water unites us all’: UN chief makes plea for unity to stave off water crisis

The United Nations’ first meeting on water in nearly half a century drew towards a close on 24 March with hopes it would spur political momentum and fears that too little is being done to tackle chronic water stress globally. Subscribe to Guardian News on YouTube ► There is no international binding agreement for water like the one reached for the climate in Paris in 2015, or framework like that established to protect nature in Montreal last year, despite dire warnings of the risks humanity faces if water is not managed better. Nearly 700 groups including state and local governments, non-profit groups and some companies submitted water-related plans before and during this week’s conference in New York. Projects ranged from investing in ’climate-smart’ agriculture and wetland restoration in the Niger River basin, to mapping the water system in the Hague, the Netherlands. The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► Sign up to the Guardian’s free new daily newsletter, First Edition ► Website ► Facebook ► Twitter ► Instagram ► The Guardian on YouTube:  The Guardian ► Guardian Australia ► Guardian Football ► Guardian Sport ► Guardian Live ► #UN #UnitedNations #Water #WaterCrisis #Environment