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Special Focus Session on Water and Sanitation

5 September 2025

On 19 April 2020, two displaced children are photographed carrying water bottles in Hadramout Governorate, Yemen. UNICEF has been scaling up preparedness and response programmes, including providing clean water and distributing basic hygiene kits to help internally displaced families across the country protect themselves against COVID-19.
UNICEF/UNI343277

“Thirsting for a Future: Securing Safe and Resilient Water and Sanitation for Every Child”

5 September 2025, 10–11.30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time
Conference Room 2, Conference Building, United Nations Headquarters

AgendaEN
Opening and welcome remarks
H.E. Mr. Jonibek Ismoil Hikmat, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Nations, President of the Executive Board of UNICEF		EN

Keynote address
H.E. Ms. Laura Chinchilla, former President of Costa Rica and member of the Global Leadership Council of the Sanitation and Water for All partnership

Speaker 
Ms. Cecilia Scharp, Global Director of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Programme Group, UNICEF


 

Moderated interactive panel - “Together for tomorrow: advancing climate-resilient WASH from promise to progress”

Moderator: Madina, UNICEF Youth Advocate, Executive Director of the Madina Climatic Organization, United Republic of Tanzania

Panellists:
• H.E. Mr. Juma Daler Shofakir, Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Republic of Tajikistan
• Mr. Mohamed Diatta, Senegal’s Sherpa for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference and Special Adviser on Water and Sanitation to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senegal
• Mr. Jason Morrison, President, Pacific Institute and Head, UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate

 
Closing remarks 
• Ms. Catherine M. Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF
• H.E. Mr. Jonibek Ismoil Hikmat, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Nations, President of the Executive Board of UNICEF		 
Concept noteEN
UN Web TV footage of the special focus sessionEN
Resources 
Securing Safe and Climate Resilient Water and Sanitation for Every ChildEN
Advancing Climate Resilient WASH ServicesEN
UNICEF Guidance note : How UNICEF Regional and country offices 
can shift to climate resilient WASH programming		EN FR
Resilience through safe water, sanitation and hygieneEN
Global Annual Results Report 2024: Goal Area 4 (webpage)EN
Spotlight on the Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Thematic Fund 2024EN