If the world fails to act in a timely fashion, the accelerating rate of climate change could mean that it will be too late to address the crisis, he said.

The president urged global informationsharing and cooperation to address the world’s water challenges. After the panel, Áder told a press conference that the three most important tasks that need to be carried out in order to avert a water crisis are securing drinking water worldwide, stopping the pollution of the world’s waters and more effective water management. If the water issue is not addressed properly, billions will be left without clean water and tens of millions will be forced to leave their homes, he said.

Áder told MTI that he was unsurprised by the high level of interest the conference had generated, as the water crisis affects everyone. “Over the past few years, nature has continually sent us warning signs that our present way of life ... is not sustainable anymore,” he said, noting the record-breaking floods and droughts that have displaced millions of people in recent years.

Earlier in the day Áder took part in the UN Secretary-General’s meeting which centred on the Paris climate accord. The number of countries ratifying the treaty reached 58 this week, surpassing the required 55 countries needed for the agreement to enter into force, Áder noted.

He expressed hope that the second condition, namely that the countries that have signed on make up 55% of global gas emissions responsible for global warming, would be met by the end of the year. The accord still needs 7% more of the world’s emissions to enter into effect, he said.

After the meeting Áder held bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

The presidents discussed the conflict with Russia and the annexation of Crimea. Áder reassured Poroshenko of Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s independence.

The talks also covered the opening of new border crossing points between the two countries and Hungary providing help to speed up the construction of motorways in western Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Bruzák Noémi