Review of SDGs implementation: SDG 6 – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all | Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Background

SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, reflects the increased attention on water and sanitation issues in the global agenda. Fresh water, in sufficient quantity and quality, is essential for all aspects of life and sustainable development. The human right to water and sanitation are widely recognized by Member States. Water resources are embedded in all forms of development (e.g. food security, health and poverty reduction), in sustaining economic growth in agriculture, industry and energy generation, and in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Agriculture (including irrigation, livestock and aquaculture) is by far the largest water consumer, accounting for 69 per cent of annual water withdrawals globally. Industry (including power generation) accounts for 19 per cent and households for 12 per cent. All these water uses can pollute freshwater resources. Most wastewater from municipal, industrial and agricultural sources is discharged back into water bodies without treatment. If not treated, this pollution further reduces the availability of fresh water for drinking and other uses, and also degrades ecosystems. The 2030 Agenda establishes that those challenges can be met by adopting a more integrated approach to managing and allocating water resources, including the protection of ecosystems upon which societies and economies depend. The concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM) requires governments to consider how water resources link different parts of society and how decisions in one sector may affect water users in other sectors. It is an approach that must involve all actors and stakeholders, from all levels, who use and potentially pollute water so that it is managed equitably and sustainably.

Proposed guiding questions:

Equal accessto sufficientsafe and affordable water and adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene can mean the difference between prosperity and poverty, well-being and ill-health, and even living and dying. What are the main entry points to eliminating inequalities in the access to water and sanitation services?
Financial needs in the water sector remain high. More funding is required, ranging from more effective use of existing resources through to providing new financing paradigms to create greater opportunities for making rapid progress in future years. What are the most viable innovative funding models that can best advance SDG 6 implementation?
A lack of capacity is constraining water resources development and management and human resource shortages are reported in all key areas, including: agriculture and irrigated farming; water-related risks management; water and sanitation services; wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies; data collection and desalination. How can we link with SDG 8 by finding ways to encourage decent work and economic growth in the water sector?
Who are the furthest behind and who is at risk of being left behind for this SDG?

Chair:

H.E. Mr. Mahmadamin Mahmadaminov, Vice-President of ECOSOC

Presentations:

Ms. Yongyi Min, Sustainable Development Goal Monitoring Section, Statistics Division of UN DESA
Mr. Stefan Uhlenbrook, Coordinator ofthe UN World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), UNESCO, on SDG 6 Synthesis Report 2018 on Water and Sanitation

Keynote speaker:

Ms. Mina Guli, water advocate, ultra runner

Moderator:

Mr. Joakim Harlin, Vice Chair of UN-Water

Panellists:

H.E. Mr. Danilo Türk, Chair of the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace, former President of Slovenia
H.E. Ms. Lucía Ruiz, Vice Minister of Environment of Peru
Mr. Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda
Ms. Claudia Sadoff, Director of the International Water Management Institute

Lead discussants:

Mr. Ney Maranhão, Director of National Water Resources Agency of Brazil
Mr. Thomas Stratenwerth, Head of Division and acting Deputy Director General, Ministry for Environment, Germany
Mr. Neil Jeffery, CEO, Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor
Mr. Florencio Marerua, Country Director, Mozambique, WaterAid (NGO Major Group)

Followed by interactive discussion