U.N. hopes water meeting can create 'rippling effect' to stave off crisis

An outdoor exhibition is seen during the 2023 United Nations Water Conference at the United Nations in New York City, U.S., March 24, 2023. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United Nations' first meeting on water in nearly half a century drew towards a close on Friday with hopes it would spur political momentum and fears that too little is being done to tackle chronic water stress globally.

There is no international binding agreement for water like the one reached for climate in Paris in 2015, or framework like that established to protect nature in Montreal last year, despite dire warnings of the risks humanity faces if water is not managed better.