Global norms and capacity building: Training and capacity development for safely managed sanitation

WHO provides training and capacity development on safely managed sanitation (SMS) via a range of partnerships, training initiatives and technical tools including: WHO/UNICEF steps to achieve universal access to SMS, the climate resilient sanitation coalition, sanitation safety planning, sanitary inspections, system and pathogen factsheets, and the sanitation workers initiative. WHO works with regulators specifically via RegNet and works in alignment with keys partners such as UNICEF, WaterAid and the World Bank and co-convenes the UN-Water expert group on WASH.
Leading Entity
World Health Organization (WHO)
Collaborating Entity(ies)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
WaterAid
Contributing Action Number
CA2.25
Primary Entry Point
2: Engage better for countries
Additional Entry Point(s)
4: Accelerate progress and transformational change
Output(s)
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 4.4: Enabling environments for water and sanitation innovation are supported by the UN system, including policies, partnerships, and transfer of technology to remove barriers, with emphasis on technology transfer needs of developing countries
SDG 6 Target(s)
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
Water-related work on other SDGs
Type of Engagement
Capacity development and technical assistance
Geographical Scope
Global level
More Information
https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/water-sanitation-and-health/sanitation-safety

Leading Entity

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.