Havana, March 23 (RHC-Granma)-- The United Nations has pledged its full support for Cuba's efforts toward the sustainable management of water resources to confront challenges posed by acute drought and other extreme whether phenomena.

UN Resident Coordinator in Cuba Myrta Kaulard, noted that the multilateral body and its agencies are ready and willing to support the Caribbean nation in this regard.

Speaking Wednesday at the main ceremony here in Cuba to mark World Water Day, Kaulard praised the strong commitment of the Cuban government to achieving rational and efficient use of available water resources, through comprehensive management that includes water recycling.

The UN official added that the holding here in Havana of the international conference on water resources management 'Cubagua 2017' further attests to the Cuban authorities' commitment to guaranteeing sustainable water use, a resource, she said, is increasingly scarce across our planet.

Addressing the conference, Inés María Chapman, President of the National Institute of Water Resources, said that over the past five decades Cuba has increased its water storage capacity 190-fold, reaching more than 9 billion cubic meters in 241 reservoirs.

Chapman stressed that despite the huge efforts, Cuba faces serious difficulties due to an extended drought.