IHP-IX 5.2. Integrating sound science into water governance to enhance climate adaptation and IWRM, addressing surface and groundwater for decision maker use.

Integration of sound science in water governance instruments improved reflecting adaptation to climate change and IWRM, integrating surface and groundwater for their uptake by decision makers. 1. Publication and dissemination of case studies on science-informed water governance for management of surface and groundwater, in IWRM context and for climate change adaptation, also linking with experimental research basins and the UNESCO Water Family. 2. State-of-the-art research and publications on the instruments of water governance, both surface and groundwater, for increased climate resilience and IWRM implementation. 3. Coordinated implementation of a set of urban water management actions and solutions, including the establishment of the Megacities Alliance for Water and Climate (MAWAC) and its cooperation platform based on IHP-WINS. 4. Capacity development of stakeholders in implementing sound and adaptive, context-specific and location-based water governance in local, national and transboundary water resources with focus on climate change and water-related disasters.

Contributing Action Number

CA2.14

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 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 4.5: 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.A: Expand international cooperation and capacity-building

SDG target 6.B: Support stakeholder participation

SDG target 11.5: Reduce number of deaths, people affected and economic losses caused by disasters, including water-related disasters

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)

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.