Supporting the UN 2023 Water Conference in improving water and sanitation worldwide

Infographic on the UN 2023 Water Conference with the caption ‘Water plays a central role in confronting the triple planetary crisis where climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution converge.’

Context

Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation is the sixth Sustainable Development Goal of the 2030 Agenda. In order to achieve the target by 2030, the speed of implementation must increase significantly.

According to the United Nations (UN), two billion people worldwide do not have reliable access to clean drinking water and three and a half billion people do not have adequate sanitation. At the same time, the pressure on water resources is increasing due to climate change and economic developments.

The global community sent a clear signal in 2023 by staging the first UN Water Conference in 46 years. The UN Water Conference reviews the results of the mid-term review of the International Decade of Action ‘Water for Sustainable Development’ from 2018 to 2028 and is committed to accelerating the implementation of the sixth development goal of the 2030 Agenda.

Infographic on the UN 2023 Water Conference with the caption ‘Women are key actors to accelerate the implementation of SDG 6.’

Objective

At the UN Water Conference, the global community is advocating comprehensive and accelerated implementation of the water targets. This primarily supports countries that are still a long way from achieving the UN’s sixth Sustainable Development Goal.

Approach

The programme is shaping and coordinating the presence of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supporting the delegation on site. The following events focus on three core water-related topics:

More efficient financing
The launch of the Urban Water Catalyst Initiative (UWCI) will increase the efficiency and climate resilience of municipal utility companies by mobilising public and private investment. At the same time, it aims to improve access to drinking water and sanitation.
Better governance
With the launch of the Team Europe Initiative (TEI), transboundary water management in Africa is being promoted in order to advance water security and climate resilience.
More gender equality
A side event increases the participation of young professionals and women in the water industry.

Last update: December 2023