IHP-IX 4.3. Research on non-conventional water resources (NCWRs) shared to improve water management and strengthen decision-making capacities.

Conducting and sharing of research on non-conventional Water Resources (NCWRs) such as wastewater reuse, desalination, rainwater harvesting, and the Management of Aquifer Recharge (MAR) by the scientific community, in support of improving Water Cycle Management (WCM), strengthening capacities of local, regional, and national decision-makers, and enhanced acceptance of public. 1. Research projects, including collaborative actions (private sector, NGOs, civil society) and compilation of the-state-of-the-art in NCRWs and circular economies to improve WCM and to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of public and private investments, also in urban and peri-urban settlements, and also in alignment with MAWAC (Megacities, Water & Climate). 2. Support to knowledge and policy development towards sustained implementation and maintenance of Managed Aquifer Recharge in targeted aquifers, and its inclusion in IWRM planning. 3. Promotion of NCRWs for better WCM through training sessions and events at regional and global water events, COPs and other fora to mainstream it in broader contexts. 4. Dissemination and raising awareness and capacity in nature-based solutions, best practices and public acceptance on safe reuse of wastewater, including community engagements, engagement of young professionals to enhance human capacities in MAR, NCWRs and WCM.

Contributing Action Number

CA2.13

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 2.1: 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 4.3: 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

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.A: Expand international cooperation and capacity-building

SDG target 6.B: Support stakeholder participation

Water-related work on other SDGs

Type of Engagement

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

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

Capacity development and technical assistance

Policy advice and thought leadership

Geographical Scope

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.