UN-Water

31/10/2026

Let’s unite on water management to build a resilient future for all.

The 2026 UN Water Conference in the UAE from 8–10 December aims to create stronger, efficient multilateral cooperation across borders. 💧

http://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2026

30/10/2026

Every child deserves access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene at school.

But the world is not on track to achieve universal access to basic services by 2030.

A new WHO/UNICEF report shows that progress must accelerate fourfold for drinking water, fivefold for sanitation and fourfold for hygiene to reach the global targets.

Without faster progress, millions of children will still lack basic water, sanitation and hygiene services at school in 2030.

Read more about the findings: https://www.unwater.org/news/new-jmp-report-world-track-wash-schools-2030

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29/10/2026

Women's contributions to climate action must be recognized and valued.

Women are on the frontlines of climate change, helping communities build resilience, protect natural resources and restore ecosystems. Yet their contributions often go unrecognized and unrewarded.

A pioneering initiative, the W+ Standard, is helping change this by measuring the social and economic benefits of women's work, including increased incomes, greater opportunities and stronger decision-making power.

As we approach , it's a reminder that gender equality must be central to climate action, including efforts to ensure safe and climate-resilient sanitation for all.

🔗 Learn more: https://climatepromise.undp.org/news-and-stories/how-new-standard-valuing-womens-contributions-climate-action

The W+ Standard helps make visible the vital role rural and Indigenous women play as drivers of climate and forest solutions.

28/10/2026

Global sanitation progress remains too slow.

Safely managed sanitation coverage increased from 48% in 2015 to 58% in 2024, according to the latest WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme report. Yet 3.4 billion people still lack these services, and achieving universal access by 2030 requires a sixfold acceleration in progress.

As on-site sanitation becomes the most common sanitation service worldwide, strengthening skills in planning, monitoring and data collection is more important than ever.

The WHO Academy offers a learning pathway from fundamentals to advanced monitoring:

▪️ For a healthier world: Safely managed sanitation – An overview of the sanitation service chain, health impacts, financing and delivery approaches. https://whoacademy.org/coursewares/course-v1:WHOAcademy-Hosted+H0048EN+H0048EN_Q4_2024?source=edX

▪️ Safely managed on-site sanitation: Why it matters and how we monitor it – Learn the concepts, indicators and data systems for monitoring SDG 6.2. https://whoacademy.org/coursewares/course-v1:WHOAcademy-Hosted+H0135EN+2025_Q4?source=edX

▪️ Safely managed on-site sanitation: Technical training on data collection, analysis and use – Build practical skills in survey design, data analysis and evidence-based decision-making. https://whoacademy.org/coursewares/course-v1:WHOAcademy-Hosted+H0156EN+2025_Q4?source=edX

Choose the course that fits your role—and go back to school with WASH.

The dry cleaning on the Dog to go have the cat first Airbnb.

Join WHO Academy to develop your skills and contribute to better health outcomes around the globe.

26/10/2026

Safe toilets mean safety.

354 million people still have to go to the toilet out in the open.
For many women and girls, using an outdoor toilet – or having no toilet at all – can mean increased risk and danger.

What do safe toilets mean to you?
Join us this
🚽 Learn more: www.worldtoiletday.org

26/10/2026

Call for proposals and abstracts: 42nd IAHR World Congress 2027!

The 42nd World Congress of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) will take place in Bari, Italy, from 28 June to 2 July 2027, bringing together researchers, professionals, policymakers and stakeholders to advance knowledge and solutions in water engineering and management.

Two opportunities to contribute:
▪️ Special sessions and side events – Deadline: 1 November 2026
Submit proposals addressing key challenges in water engineering, digital water, resilience and global transitions.
▪️ Abstract submissions – Deadline: 15 January 2027
Share research, innovative approaches and practical solutions for water engineering and management.

Researchers, practitioners, institutions and young professionals are encouraged to contribute and help shape the discussions.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.unwater.org/news/42nd-iahr-world-congress-call-proposals-and-abstracts
IAHR

26/10/2026

Did you miss the Rome Water Dialogue 2026?

From 12–16 October, policymakers, experts and partners gathered at FAO in Rome to explore innovative solutions for strengthening water and food security.

With agriculture accounting for more than 72% of global freshwater withdrawals, sustainable water management is essential to building resilient agrifood systems and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Held as part of the World Food Forum 2026, the Dialogue explored key issues including:
▪️ Integrated water resources management and water governance
▪️ Water tenure and equitable allocation of water resources
▪️ Drought management, land restoration and irrigation modernization
▪️ Financing and innovation for resilient agrifood systems

🎥 Missed the discussions or want to revisit a session?
All presentations and session recordings are now available online!

🔗 Explore the Rome Water Dialogue 2026 resources: https://www.fao.org/events/detail/rome-water-dialogue-2026/

The Rome Water Dialogue 2025 will bring together leaders, practitioners, innovators and communities to showcase and celebrate innovative water solutions for ...

24/10/2026

Young people are shaping the future of water.

UNESCO's Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP) has launched Youth4Water, its first flagship initiative dedicated entirely to empowering young people in the water sector.

The initiative will help strengthen education and skills, create career opportunities, foster innovation, and ensure meaningful youth participation in water governance through regional hubs around the world.

Learn more ⬇️ https://www.unwater.org/news/unesco-ihp-youth4water-initiative

Approved at the 27th session of the IHP Council, this initiative will strengthen youth participation in water governance, support their training and promote their access to career opportunities in the sector.Young people continue to face barriers to education, employment and decision-making in the w...

23/10/2026

Safe toilets mean dignity.

More than half a billion people today still share toilets with other households, putting women's and girls' privacy and security at greater risk.
Safe sanitation is a human right that benefits the whole community in many ways.
What do safe toilets mean to you?

Join the conversation this and help create ‘Safe toilets. Equal futures.’
🚽 Learn more: www.worldtoiletday.org

21/10/2026

WHO has published a new report presenting results from Rounds III and IV of the Household Water Treatment Technology Evaluation Scheme.

The report outlines findings from WHO’s global programme to independently assess household water treatment products against WHO health-based performance criteria, based on their ability to remove microbial contaminants from drinking water.

Household water treatment and safe storage remain critical public health interventions, particularly as nearly 2 billion people worldwide still rely on unimproved or contaminated drinking-water sources.

The findings aim to support countries, UN agencies and partners in identifying effective technologies and informing standards, regulation and procurement decisions to help protect public health.

Download the report here.

The report outlines findings from WHO’s global programme to assess household water treatment products, which are independently tested against WHO health-based performance criteria and classified according to their ability to remove microbial contaminants from drinking water.Household water treatme...