UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday appointed Retno L.P. Marsudi of Indonesia as his special envoy on water.

The appointment aims to galvanize partnerships and concerted efforts to advance the water agenda, including follow-up on the outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference.

"The special envoy will draw on these outcomes in the lead-up to various global water processes, particularly the UN 2026 Water Conference," said a press release issued by the world body.

Marsudi will support efforts to ensure a water-secure future for all by advocating for stronger political, economic and sociocultural cooperation at all levels. She will also aim to enhance international cooperation and synergies among various international water processes to support the achievement of all water-related goals and targets, including Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the press release said.

Representing the UN chief in global water processes, Marsudi will also collaborate with UN-Water and its members to support the implementation of the UN System-wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation at all levels, in line with the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework.

Marsudi, who will assume the role of special envoy on water on November 1, has served as Indonesia's minister for foreign affairs from 2014 to October 2024.

(Cover via CFP)