HRC panel discussion and report

UN Human Rights Council panel discussion 2025, in the 59th session of the Council, on the realization of the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, with a particular focus on mainstreaming the human rights of safe drinking water and sanitation into the 2026 United Nations Water Conference and a summary report that will be presented to the Human Rights Council at its 61st session in 2026
Leading Entity
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Contributing Action Number
CA5.1
Primary Entry Point
5: Account through joint review and learning
Output(s)
Output 5.1: Progress on the implementation of the SWS is reviewed jointly by the UN system at technical and leadership levels
Output 5.2: Progress on water-related goals and targets are reviewed through joint learning and exchange among all actors with support from the UN system
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 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency and ensure freshwater supplies
SDG target 6.B: Support stakeholder participation
SDG target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory lews, policies, and practices and promoting approprate legislation, policies and action in this regard
Type of Engagement
Normative support (e.g. development of normative guidance, guidelines and standards)
Convening of stakeholders
Geographical Scope
Global level
Start Date
End Date

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.