On behalf of the Hungarian Government, Minister of State Enikő Győri attended the High-Level International Conference on Water Cooperation held in The Hague on 22nd March 2013, where the invited speakers – among others heads of state and government and leaders of specialized UN institutions– discussed water cooperation and the post-2015 development policy agenda.

The Dutch hosts handed over the symbolic relay baton to Hungary at the event, emphasizing the continuity between The Hague conference and the Budapest World Water Summit on 8-11th October 2013.

In her speech, Minister of State Győri highlighted that Hungary wishes to play a central role in defining the post-2015 water objectives, to which the world summit will provide an important stage. The objective of the Hungarian Government is to cooperate closely with international organizations, national governments, the business and civil sphere to ensure that the World Summit delivers tangible results. She emphasized that water was an especially valuable resource for Hungary, which is both an advantage and a responsibility. We are convinced that the several decades of experience that our country has in water issues make us well placed to do a lot – she added.

During the conference the Minister of State also met with Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, who is going to be crowned the ruler of The Netherlands next month. Beside this she also had short bilateral talks with Jordanian Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Liliane Ploumen and South African Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Rejoice Mabudafhasi regarding the preparations of the Budapest World Water Summit.

(MTI, Ministry Foreign Affairs)