Driving water and sanitation agenda in the pan-European region through the Protocol on Water and Health

The Protocol requires its Parties to set integrated targets on water, sanitation and health. Such targets are set at national level through an intersectoral and inter-ministerial process, tailored to countries’ priorities, needs and socioeconomic and environmental health conditions, and accompanied by realistic action plans. The Protocol also requires Parties to strengthen capacity for surveillance and outbreak management of water-related diseases and establish and maintain legal and institutional framework for monitoring and enforcing standards for the quality of drinking-water. Every 3 years, Parties undertake a self-assessment of progress with target implementation and submit a report to the Meeting of the Parties through the Protocol’s reporting system.

Collaborating Entity(ies)

World Health Organization (WHO)

Contributing Action Number

CA3.4

Primary Entry Point

3: Align UN system support for integration

Additional Entry Point(s)

1: Lead and inspire collective action

2: Engage better for countries

Output(s)

Output 1.1: Water and sanitation issues are a strategic leadership priority for the UN System

Output 2.1: Expertise and resources are fully leveraged by the UN system to support countries, with emphasis on the water and sanitation needs of developing countries

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 3.3: Mainstreaming of water and sanitation-related issues into Member States-led intergovernmental processes is supported by the UN system

Output 4.2: High-quality, disaggregated water and sanitation data and information are available and shared transparently through strengthened national and sub-national monitoring systems and regional and global platforms with support from the UN system

Output 4.5: Governance of water and sanitation is improved through UN system support, including with emphasis on the needs of developing countries

SDG 6 Target(s)

SDG target 6.1: Achieve safe and affordable drinking water

SDG target 6.2: Achieve access to sanitation and hygiene and end open defecation

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

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

SDG target 6.B: Support stakeholder participation

SDG target 11.5: Reduce number of deaths, people affected and economic losses caused by disasters, including water-related disasters

Water-related work on other SDGs

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

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

More Information

https://unece.org/environment-policy/water/protocol-on-water-and-health/about-the-protocol/introduction

Leading Entity

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

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.