The UN 2023 Water Conference was a watershed moment that recognized water as a global common good and proposed an ambitious Water Action Agenda. However, significant challenges remain to achieve water security worldwide. The work programme 2024-2025 was Published and proposed some options for supporting SDG-6 progress.
Key actions include:
Develop a UN system-wide strategy for water and sanitation based on the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework to drive coordinated action.
Mainstream water across UN processes on climate, biodiversity, health etc. to highlight interlinkages.
Provide technical assistance to countries to implement SDG 6 and the Water Action Agenda, including through UN Resident Coordinators.
Leverage partnerships with governments, civil society, and the private sector to mobilize action and financing.
Invest in data collection and monitoring to identify gaps and drive evidence-based policies.
Support innovation finance and new technologies to improve water management.
Promote sustainable water practices that balance usage across sectors and conserve resources.
Prioritize building adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities to manage water risks.
Use platforms like World Water Day and others to inspire public mobilization and political will.
Strengthen UN-Water as the coordination body on water issues across the UN system.
With urgent and concerted efforts across sectors, stakeholders and borders, we can realize the vision of hashtag#WaterForAll. But bold leadership is needed to meet the immense water challenges ahead. The UN stands ready to rally the world to action.
Bapon (SHM) Fakhruddin, PhD
Water and Climate Leader| Strategic Investment Partnerships and Co-Investments| Professor| EW4ALL| Board Member| Chair- CODATA TG| Award Winner (SDG 2021, EWS 2025)
Rallying for Global Water Security
Bapon (SHM) Fakhruddin, PhD 