“We are seriously off-track”: UN Türkiye Resident Coordinator calls for urgent global action on water efficiency at Istanbul International Water Forum

We are seriously off-track,” warned the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, Babatunde Ahonsi, as global leaders convened at the Istanbul International Water Forum, calling for urgent, scaled-up action on water efficiency to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking at a high-level panel on water efficiency during the 5th Istanbul International Water Forum, Ahonsi stressed that progress toward SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation must accelerate six-fold to meet 2030 targets, underscoring the growing urgency of water stress, particularly in climate “hotspot” regions such as the Mediterranean.

The panel brought together senior government officials, United Nations representatives, and international experts to examine how water efficiency can drive climate resilience, sustainable development, and economic stability.

Opening the session, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ebubekir Gizligider emphasized that water is no longer just a resource, but a strategic pillar underpinning food security, energy systems, public health, and ecosystems. He highlighted the need for stronger policy implementation tools, circular approaches, and coordinated action across sectors.

Participants agreed that water efficiency is one of the most powerful tools to address climate change while advancing sustainable development. Achieving “more value with less water,” they noted, must be at the core of future policies, linking water, food, energy, and ecosystems.

Ahonsi further pointed to a broader “consumption crisis” linked to SDG 12, warning that unsustainable production patterns continue to drive water scarcity. He called for a shift from managing water supply to managing water demand, placing circularity at the center of water management through reuse, recycling, and recovery.

Across the panel, speakers highlighted that water efficiency is no longer a purely technical issue but a systemic challenge requiring integrated solutions.

FAO Assistant Director-General Viorel Gutu stressed that improving water use in agriculture—where the majority of freshwater is consumed—requires coordinated investments in infrastructure, innovation, climate adaptation, and governance.

SESRIC Director-General Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk emphasized the importance of institutional capacity, reliable data, and common indicators, noting that water availability remains uneven while demand continues to rise, particularly across OIC countries.

Union for the Mediterranean Deputy Secretary General Joan Borrell described efficiency as the “bridge between ambition and reality,” stressing that solutions exist but require stronger political will, financing, and cooperation to scale.

Local action was highlighted as a critical driver of change. Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin shared how Gaziantep has strengthened resilience in the face of rapid population growth, industrial demand, and compounded crises, including earthquakes and displacement. Through infrastructure investments, reduction of water losses, and data-driven planning, the city has significantly expanded water treatment capacity while working to produce more value with less water.

At the national level, Director-General General Directorate of Water Management Afire Sever outlined Türkiye’s water efficiency mobilization efforts, including basin-level planning, identification of water deficits, and targeted actions across sectors, supported by awareness campaigns and industry guidelines.

Innovation and digital transformation were also identified as key enablers. Mediterranean Water Institue Alain Meyssonnier highlighted the role of predictive models and real-time monitoring in reducing water losses, while stressing the need for integrated data governance systems.

Speakers also pointed to the strong interlinkages between water, waste, and consumption patterns. Lara van Druten, Advisory Board Member to the Secretary-General on Zero Waste emphasized that sectors such as food and textiles place significant pressure on water resources, underscoring the importance of circular economy approaches.

Throughout the discussion, a clear message emerged: water efficiency must be embedded across all sectors and levels of governance as a central pillar of climate action and sustainable development.

Looking ahead to the UN 2026 Water Conference and COP31, to be hosted by Türkiye, participants stressed that water efficiency represents one of the most immediate and cost-effective pathways for green transformation.

“We cannot manage what we do not measure,” Ahonsi noted, calling for measurable, verifiable, and scalable solutions to ensure real progress toward 2030 targets.

The Forum concluded with a strong call to move from dialogue to implementation, with participants emphasizing that strengthened governance, increased investment, and sustained political commitment will be essential to translate ambition into impact.

As water stress intensifies globally, the message from Istanbul was clear: water efficiency is not just part of the solution—it is the foundation for a resilient and sustainable future.