IHP-IX 5.4. Researching and sharing novel adaptive water management approaches to strengthen capacities and enhance water governance.

Conducting and sharing of research on novel approaches of adaptive water management by the scientific community supported and capacities of Member States strengthened to enhance sound water governance. 1. Supporting and facilitating the research on novel approaches to adaptive water management, including adaptive urban water management, dissemination of the research results, training and refresher programs for related public officials, water managers, professionals and water operators. 2. Development and pilot implementation of guidelines for incorporating science-based tools and methodologies into the principles of good groundwater governance and adapt them to local contexts and promote the principles of good groundwater governance through the organization of the Groundwater Summit (Dec. 2022). 3. Science-policy dialogue (including citizen science) in support of Member States to incorporate in their policies and practices, sound water governance and adaptive water management approaches. 4. Collaboration with regional centers of expertise on the development and implementation of projects and activities, e.g. with AMCOW and/or NEPAD Water Centers of Excellence, in novel approaches in adaptive water management.

Contributing Action Number

CA4.30

Primary Entry Point

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Additional Entry Point(s)

2: Engage better for countries

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 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 4.4: 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 6.5: 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)

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

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.