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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Urban Water Security in India & Advancing Transboundary Water & Climate Cooperation in South Asia

Kubernein Initiative (
Other relevant actor
)
#SDGAction50672
    Description
    Description

    Our focus is to build results oriented integrated frameworks to ensure water security for all (includes equitable access to the resource, management and water supply; good quality of water for drinking, domestic and other livelihood purposes; sanitation and hygiene; access to information and data; full & meaningful participation in decision-making of water governance; accountability and transparency of urban local bodies). Our core focus is to ensure that the voices of women and young girls, migrant and marginalized communities who are disproportionately affected by water stress are included in decision-making. Our framework, through gender integration, steers clear pathways for intersectional approaches to water security.

    We further aim to mainstream water security into urban planning and governance for a truly sustainable economy & ecology in the future. Water is at the heart of the climate crisis. We believe that economic planning without integrating water security is indispensable in the age of anthropocene and climate crisis. More discussions involving strong participation and perspectives from multiple stakeholders. Facilitate collaborations, learning of good practices within the systems globally, regionally & locally.

    With justice and equity at the center of focus, we propose designing principles and leveraging inclusive collaboration with water as a reinforcing cross-sector for achieving SDG 6, climate resilience and adaptation, and sustainable economy. A combination of innovative short-term goals and comprehensive long term goals along with strengthening institutional and individual capacity will create integrated and transformative approaches towards water hazards & stress related challenges.

    Expected Impact

    South Asia is a water stressed region, and has many shared transboundary water and other natural resources. Through regional cooperation, water has great potential to build peace and generate cross-country resource sharing platforms in this region. Water related goals can only be attained with high-level political awareness and transformative action on the ground. The forum at the UN Water Conference promises to enable this process and bridge gaps by bringing all stakeholders in one room.
    In order to develop a more comprehensive approach to our ideas, we collaborate with subject matter experts to look at various aspects of water, climate and gender. We can facilitate and mobilize gender responsive water resource management frameworks for transboundary cooperation and water resilience in South Asia.

    Through these collaborations, several good practices will emerge and create a domino effect within the systems globally, regionally and locally.

    Additional information

    All of Kubernien Initiative's Media can be accessed here: https://kuberneininitiative.com/media/

    Goal 6

    Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

    Goal 6

    6.1

    By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

    6.1.1

    Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

    6.2

    By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

    6.2.1

    Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water

    6.3

    By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

    6.3.1

    Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated

    6.3.2

    Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

    6.4

    By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
    6.4.1

    Change in water-use efficiency over time

    6.4.2

    Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

    6.5

    By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

    6.5.1

    Degree of integrated water resources management 

    6.5.2

    Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

    6.6

    By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
    6.6.1

    Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

    6.a

    By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
    6.a.1

    Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

    6.b

    Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

    6.b.1

    Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

    Name Description
    Examining water and climate security with a gender lens in Mumbai and Delhi. The Mumbai report is published and Delhi will be out soon. Gender in Climate Action: The case for inclusion in Mumbai https://tinyurl.com/3p6ba7ts
    Continuing our project on Water and Climate Security in Urban India, we are reviewing many more Indian cities and the research is ongoing. An outcome report featuring these cities is forthcoming. https://tinyurl.com/ye4yah2n
    Through our extensive research on India’s urban water and climate security, we have been able to identify common gaps, challenges and opportunities in a policy brief for urban governance mechanisms to respond to the rising water and climate challenges.
    Staff / Technical expertise
    We have a dedicated team on Water & Climate Security and regularly engage with technical experts for discussions and collaborations through publications, podcasts, etc.
    Other, please specify
    Through partnerships such as: Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (WISCOMP), The Asia Foundation, Canadian Consulate of Mumbai, Stimson Center, National Institute of Urban Affairs, and others.
    False
    Action Network
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    Timeline
    01 December 2020 (start date)
    31 December 2023 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Kubernein Initiative
    SDGs
    Region
    1. Asia and Pacific
    Other beneficiaries

    We commit to building and strengthening South Asian regional and intersectional relations ; water security for all with justice and equity at its core in urban water governance.

    Countries
    India
    India
    Contact Information

    Ambika , Co-founder and Director