Assisting UN Member States in advancing on IWRM implementation through better integration

The SDG 6 IWRM (Integrated Water Resources Management) Support Programme assists governments in designing and implementing country-led responses to SDG indicator 6.5.1, the degree of implementation of IWRM, as an entry point to accelerate progress towards the achievement of water-related SDGs and other development goals, in line with their national priorities. This is in direct support of the official SDG monitoring and reporting processes, and leads to measurable progress on the relevant SDG targets.

Collaborating Entity(ies)

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Contributing Action Number

CA2.1

Primary Entry Point

2: Engage better for countries

Additional Entry Point(s)

3: Align UN system support for integration

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Output(s)

Output 2.2: Diverse stakeholders and partnerships are mobilized by the UN system to support countries’ progress on water and sanitation

Output 3.2: Integrated policy frameworks to manage water and sanitation across sectors are supported by the UN system using latest data and evidence

Output 4.1: Financing strategies, frameworks and plans for investing in water and sanitation across sectors are prepared and implemented with UN system support, with particular emphasis on the financing needs of developing countries

SDG 6 Target(s)

Cross-cutting work on SDG 6

SDG target 6.3: Improve water quality, wastewater and safe reuse

SDG target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency and ensure freshwater supplies

SDG target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management (IWRM)

SDG target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems

SDG target 6.A: Expand international cooperation and capacity-building

SDG target 6.B: Support stakeholder participation

Type of Engagement

Normative support (e.g. development of normative guidance, guidelines and standards)

Data collection and analysis

Implementation (e.g. direct support and service delivery, pilot or larger scale)

Capacity development and technical assistance

Convening of stakeholders

Policy advice and thought leadership

Geographical Scope

Global level

Regional, transboundary and sub-regional (multi-country) level

Country-level (national, subnational and local)

Estimated Annual Budget

1-10 million USD

More Information

https://www.gwp.org/en/sdg6support/

Leading Entity

Global Water Partnership (GWP)

United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation

The Contributing Actions are key initiatives supporting the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, aligning individual and joint efforts across UN entities and partnering organizations to advance global water and sanitation goals. These actions are integrated into the Collaborative Implementation Plan (CIP) Results Framework 2025-2028, which provides a structured approach to achieving system-wide impact through coordinated UN efforts.
The Priority Collaborative Actions outlined in the framework focus on enhancing water security, improving governance, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating progress on sanitation and hygiene. By fostering system-wide collaboration among UN agencies, these actions help drive policy coherence, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.