IHP-IX 4.4. Development and sharing of knowledge on source-to-sea and nexus approaches to enhance integrated water resources management across watersheds.

Development and sharing of knowledge on using the source-to-sea and nexus approaches by the scientific community supported, and capacities strengthened to improve integrated water resources management for all watersheds, including transboundary ones. 1. Intersectoral science-policy dialogue and knowledge generation on integrative nexus and source-to-sea approaches and cooperation opportunities across sectors including transboundary surface and groundwater resources and ecosystems, case studies, good practices. 2. Promotion of source-to-sea and nexus approaches in water quality, quantity, ecosystems and biodiversity and resilience interlinkages, development of science-based guidance. 3. Research on synergies and tradeoffs among the societal goals related to water management (e.g. water–environment–energy–food–health), and compilation and dissemination, including through conferences/symposia/workshops, of best nexus practices, including wastewater reuse and byproducts (nutrients, energy) in a circular economy context. 4. Development, consolidation and sharing of knowledge for implementation of source-to-sea and nexus approaches in urban settings and in aquifers, and on the source-to-sea approach to reduce land and water pollution-including plastic/microplastic pollution-for freshwater and oceans’ health.

Contributing Action Number

CA4.24

Primary Entry Point

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Additional Entry Point(s)

2: Engage better for countries

3: Align UN system support for integration

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 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

SDG 6 Target(s)

Cross-cutting work on SDG 6

SDG target 6.1: Achieve safe and affordable drinking water

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 6.6: 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)

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

Capacity development and technical assistance

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.