The United Nations warned that the world is threatened by an imminent water crisis, during the opening of the United Nations Water Conference on Wednesday, 46 years after the last water conference held in Argentina.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the world is in big trouble, warning of the depletion of the lifeblood of humanity through excessive consumption and unsustainable use of water, in addition to the climate crisis.

One in every four people in the world lives without safely managed water services or clean drinking water. More than 1.7 billion people lack basic sanitation facilities.

UN statistics also indicate that the number of urban dwellers facing water scarcity is expected to double to between 1.7 and 2.4 billion people by 2050.

In 2019, 1.4 million deaths were attributed to the lack of water and sanitation services.

Guterres also called on governments to develop and implement plans that ensure equitable access to water for all people while preserving this precious resource. He also urged countries to work together across borders to manage water jointly.