The Space4Water Project

The Space4Water Project was launched by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) in 2018 to promote the use of space-based technology, data and applications for increased access to water. As of today, the project has three pillars – a conference series, a web portal, and a community of practice comprised of 108 stakeholders, 50 professionals and young professionals, as well seven members of Indigenous communities. For the upcoming funding period (2027-2030), additional two project pillars are suggested. Project pillars include: Foster scientific exchange via conferences, to inform decision making, create a forum for science diplomacy on water and have an impact on policy, Reach and inform users worldwide and communicate science via the Space4Water Portal, to show-case excellent achievements in the use of space technology for water and allow stakeholders to find partners based on their expertise or regional focus, Co-development space-based solutions to address water issues in the Space4Water Community, Build capacity of staff working on water in governmental institutions to use space-based technology and data (via Technical Advisory Missions and trainings).
Leading Entity
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Contributing Action Number
CA4.38
Primary Entry Point
4: Accelerate progress and transformational change
Additional Entry Point(s)
5: Account through joint review and learning
Output(s)
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 4.3: 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
Output 4.5: Governance of water and sanitation is improved through UN system support, including with emphasis on the needs of developing countries
Output 5.1: Progress on the implementation of the SWS is reviewed jointly by the UN system at technical and leadership levels
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
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
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
Capacity development and technical assistance
Convening of stakeholders
Geographical Scope
Global level
Regional, transboundary and sub-regional (multi-country) level
Country-level (national, subnational and local)
Start Date
End Date
Estimated Annual Budget
Below 1 million USD
More Information
https://www.space4water.org

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.