Promote democratic water governance

In 2025 and 2026, the Special Rapporteur will engage with member states, human rights defenders, and rights holders to promote a human rights-based approach to water governance. He will prepare two thematic reports on democratic water governance in 2025-2026. The reports will emphasize the need to ensure participation, transparency, accountability, and access to information, ensuring that there is no discrimination, showcasing experiences and engaging with rights holders worldwide to tell their stories and experiences. These efforts target the UN Water Conferences and the work of the UN System.
Leading Entity
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation (Special Rapporteur HRWS)
Contributing Action Number
CA1.43
Primary Entry Point
1: Lead and inspire collective action
Additional Entry Point(s)
2: Engage better for countries
Output(s)
Output 1.1: Water and sanitation issues are a strategic leadership priority for the UN System
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 3.3: Mainstreaming of water and sanitation-related issues into Member States-led intergovernmental processes is supported by the UN system
Output 4.5: Governance of water and sanitation is improved through UN system support, including with emphasis on the needs of developing countries
Output 5.2: Progress on water-related goals and targets are reviewed through joint learning and exchange among all actors with support from the UN system
SDG 6 Target(s)
Cross-cutting work on SDG 6
Type of Engagement
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)
Country(ies)
Canada
Peru
Tunisia
Mexico
India
Mongolia
Lesotho
Malaysia
El Salvador
Botswana
Tajikistan
Portugal
Kenya
Brazil
Jordan
Kiribati
Tuvalu
Thailand
Senegal
Uruguay
Namibia
Slovenia
Japan
USA
Egypt
Bangladesh
Costa Rica
Guinea-Bissau
Start Date
End Date

Leading Entity

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.