Marsudi ready to spotlight water issues at global level

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi is set to take on a pivotal role as the United Nations Special Envoy on Water, beginning November 1, 2024. This appointment marks a significant moment for global water issues, as Marsudi will be responsible for advancing the water agenda on an international scale.

In her new role, Marsudi aims to bolster international cooperation and synergy among global water initiatives, particularly following the outcomes of the 2023 UN Water Conference. Her responsibilities will include advocating for water issues on the global political stage, mobilizing action and funding to address the water crisis, and supporting the achievement of water-related goals such as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Marsudi emphasized the urgency of her new role, citing the staggering figures of 2.1 billion people lacking access to safely managed drinking water and 4.5 billion without safe sanitation services. Addressing these challenges is critical for sustainable development and has broader implications for peace, development, and human rights.

Notably, Marsudi will be the first Indonesian and the first person to hold this special envoy position focused on water issues. Her appointment follows consultations with both President Joko Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who have both expressed their full support.

Marsudi plans to leverage her nearly 40 years of diplomatic experience and a decade as Indonesia’s foreign minister to effectively fulfill her new duties at the UN.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi is set to become the United Nations Special Envoy on Water, starting November 1, 2024. This role will see her focusing on global water issues, advocating for international cooperation, and following up on the 2023 UN Water Conference’s outcomes. Marsudi aims to enhance partnerships, mobilize funding, and ensure that water issues are prominently featured on the global political agenda.

Marsudi’s appointment is historic as she is the first Indonesian and the first individual designated specifically to address water issues in this capacity. Her experience of nearly 40 years in diplomacy and a decade as Indonesia’s foreign minister will be instrumental in her new role. She will work to advance water-related goals, including Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, and tackle the global water crisis, which affects billions of people worldwide.

This role underscores the critical importance of addressing water and sanitation challenges to support sustainable development and promote peace, development, and human rights. Marsudi has received strong support from both President Joko Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto for her new duties.