IHP-IX 1.7. Embed the impacts of global change and human usage in water resources and services management plans

Development and sharing of knowledge-base on the impacts of global change and human usage on river and lake basins, aquifer systems, coastal areas, and cryosphere and human settlements by the scientific community supported so as to embed it in water resources and services management plans. 1. Scientific studies, thematic workshops, and science-based support to policy makers and managers on “Water in the Anthropocene” (e.g. Water Management in Coastal Areas, Water and Land Management in Low Lying River Deltas, Aquifer Systems, Water management in Urban Environments, Management of Hydrosphere-Cryosphere-Climate Change Nexus). 2. Status Reports on (up to 300) large rivers, coordinated by the World’s Large Rivers Initiative WLRI, UNESCO Chair on Integrated River Research and Management, in partnership with other UN Organizations and other members and partners of water family, dissemination in related events. 3. Continued work on the assessments, case studies and associated education and capacity building on snow glaciers and water resources, sediment monitoring, magnitude and risks linked to land subsidence from global to local level, coastal aquifers, considering the conservation of ecosystem services and multiple risks, including pollution and saltwater intrusion, with specific emphasis on small island developing states. 4. Development and compilation of the assessments and reports, training material on state of the art and case studies/best practices and building capacity at country level. 5. Research on rain-on-snow events including how/when they produce exceptional runoff, in partnership with IAHS.

Contributing Action Number

CA4.14

Primary Entry Point

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Additional Entry Point(s)

1: Lead and inspire collective action

2: Engage better for countries

3: Align UN system support for integration

Output(s)

Output 1.2: Action is inspired by compelling and unified UN system communications and messaging on water

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 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 4.2: 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 4.3: Institutional and human resources capacity development support that responds to national needs and priorities is provided by the UN system, contributing to a skilled water and sanitation workforce

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

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 6.4: 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

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

Global level

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

Country-level (national, subnational and local)

More information

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384615

Leading Entity

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

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.