UN chief warns of serious clean water shortages by 2050

15 June 2017


INTERNATIONAL

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that by 2050 global demand for fresh water is projected to grow by more than 40% and at least a quarter of the world’s population will live in countries with a "chronic or recurrent" lack of clean water.

He told the Security Council on Tuesday 6 June that "strains on water access are already rising in all regions," noting that three-quarters of the 193 UN member states share rivers or lake basins with their neighbours. "Water, peace and security are inextricably linked," Guterres said. "Without effective management of our water resources, we risk intensified disputes between communities and sectors and increased tensions among nations."



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