United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
The UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health is a multilateral environmental agreement aimed at protecting human health and well-being through sustainable water management, by protecting water ecosystems and preventing, controlling and reducing water-related diseases. It is the only legally binding treaty worldwide focused on attaining an adequate supply of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation for everyone, with special emphasis on equitable access to water and sanitation for vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Protocol’s programme of work reflects core priorities in the water, sanitation and health domain in the pan-European region, as expressed by Parties and other States, particularly in the areas of:
- Improving governance for water and health;
- Preventing and reducing water-related diseases;
- Institutional water, sanitation and hygiene;
- Small-scale water supplies and sanitation;
- Safe and efficient management of water supply and sanitation systems;
- Equitable access to water and sanitation
- Increasing resilience to climate change.
Implementation of the Protocol has led to tangible results in improving quality of drinking water, increased level of access to drinking water and sanitation and enhance health and environmental protection. It also stimulated effective intersectoral cooperation within around 40 countries of the pan-European region , in particular triggering the creation of interministerial working groups at national level working across environment/water and health sectors.
