He said the UN must continue to help establish mechanisms to enable developed countries to provide financial and technical assistance as well as capacity development to expedite the achievement of the sustainable development goal.

“The world is facing water scarcity, inadequate provision for sanitation, as well as more intense and frequent disasters and extreme weather events.

“We cannot afford to forgo our environment for the sake of growth, neither can actions for water be made a lesser priority compared to climate change and vice versa,” he said at the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York yesterday.

Nik Nazmi said there was a need for a “framework for resilience”, which took into account the climate, environment and development, to resolve water scarcity around the world.

“The Water Action Agenda needs a framework that asserts water’s role as the pillar that connects social, environmental, economic and cultural outcomes and be made a permanent agenda in the UN frameworks,” he said in reference to the UN’s initiative to tackle water scarcity.

He said Malaysia recognised the importance of water as a critical resource for sustainable development, economic growth and poverty reduction.

Nik Nazmi also said Malaysia sought to play an active role in achieving all sustainable development goals and supporting other UN projects.