Key challenges include climate-induced water stress, biodiversity loss, desertification, pollution, weak source-to-sea management, and insufficient disaster risk reduction. Strengthening resilience, ecosystem protection, and integrated planning should be prioritized at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

We implement ecosystem-based solutions, including wetland restoration, watershed management, and nature-based flood mitigation. Using climate-resilient technologies, data-driven monitoring, and multi-stakeholder partnerships, we strengthen resilience, protect biodiversity, and advance SDG6.

The Sustainable Agriculture Management Program implements ecosystem-based practices with our farmer clients—soil & water conservation, agroforestry, and wetland restoration—to boost biodiversity and resilience. Collaboration with local farmers through training, planning, and monitoring improved soil health, water efficiency, crop yields, and advanced SDG 6.

By 2030, governments, in partnership with farmers, NGOs, and the private sector, must scale ecosystem-based water and land management. Integrating climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and disaster risk reduction will create enabling conditions to strengthen ecosystems, secure water resources, and accelerate SDG 6.

Clean Climate and Environment Campaign Initiative

- Climate Change: .
- Biodiversity Loss:
- Desertification and Land Degradation:
- Water-Related Disasters: 90% of natural disasters are water-related, emphasizing the need for climate-resilient water management and disaster risk reduction.
- Source-to-Sea Approach:
- Infrastructure Resilience:

- S M Sehgal Foundation's Jal Vikas Project: This initiative, implemented in partnership with HDFC Bank, aims to replenish depleting water tables in rural areas through sustainable water management practices. The project has created 38 million liters of surface water storage capacity in villages, benefiting the farm community and promoting water security.

- Mobilizing new sources of funding: Supporting matchmaking with a special focus on climate-resilient, blended public-private finance, and gender-transformative approaches.
- Strengthening institutional regulation:
- Securing global and continental investment:

Association Santé Meilleure Vie Meilleure SM-VM

Climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, pollution, unsustainable water use, weak source-to-sea management, and insufficient disaster risk reduction hinder resilience. Priorities include ecosystem protection, integrated planning, and community-based adaptation

SM-VM implements community-led watershed restoration, source-to-sea monitoring, climate-adaptive water management, and disaster preparedness programs, combining local knowledge with innovative tools to protect ecosystems, enhance resilience, and advance SDG 6 and relate

Through the ‘Source-to-Sea Resilience’ initiative, SM-VM partners with local communities, authorities, and NGOs to restore watersheds, monitor ecosystems, and implement disaster risk reduction measures. This approach enhanced biodiversity, strengthened climate resilience, and promoted collaborative governance for SDG 6.

A transformative action is the establishment of integrated, ecosystem-based water governance led by governments in partnership with communities, NGOs, and private sector. This approach restores biodiversity, strengthens climate resilience, ensures sustainable source-to-sea management, and accelerates SDG 6 progress by 2030.

Municipal Services Project & Public Banking Project

Public development banks working as a collaborative global ecosystem.

Task the PDB Water Finance Coalition to support public water.

Women Environmental Programme

Challenges include worsening climate extremes, biodiversity loss, desertification, poor source-to-sea governance, and underfunded resilience and DRR measures, with fragmented policies and weak global cooperation since 2023 slowing progress.

By integrating climate-smart agriculture with nature-based solutions, WEP empowers women/youth in DRR and source-to-sea governance—enhancing biodiversity, reducing desertification, and fortifying SDG 6 and ecosystem resilience

WEP’s Inclusive Nexus for Water, Food & Climate links CSA pilots with advocacy, uniting women’s groups, policymakers, and researchers. Outcomes: improved resilience, policy adoption, and WEP’s contribution to shaping Nigeria’s Climate Change Act and related adaptation strategies

By 2030, states must finance and enforce inclusive, gender-responsive climate and water policies, expand ecosystem restoration, and institutionalize DRR, ensuring women and vulnerable groups lead resilience-building efforts across sectors.

Human Photosynthesis(TM) Research Center

Aggressively pushing for the restoration of dissolved oxygen levels in any type of water, worldwide, would have more positive impacts on the environment than any other known method.

Dissolved oxygen levels are more important than previously believed, as they have a significant impact on the physicochemical properties of water for the benefit of life and the environment.

Improving water quality by restoring dissolved oxygen levels, and without wasting electricity, without added chemicals, and reducing the formation of toxic sludge by more than 90%, is undoubtedly a project that meets the requirements that are needed to advance in the serious water problem.

A transformative action is undoubtedly to prioritize the elevation of dissolved oxygen levels in all kinds of water, throughout the world.

Groupement Agropastoral pour le développement de yongoro

impacts négatifs du changement climatiques , défis de financement

d’adopter des nouvelles pratiques et des techniques, des technologies avancées innovante dans les opérations de la production agricoles basées sur des données afin d'optimiser et d'améliorer la durabilité de la production agricole, de répondre aux problèmes

Le présent projet est initié en vue d’adopter des nouvelles pratiques et des techniques, des technologies avancées innovante dans les opérations de la production agricoles basées sur des données afin d'optimiser et d'améliorer la durabilité de la production agricole

Le renforcement des capacités techniques et institutionnelles des ministères et des communautés locales pour mener à bien des évaluations des risques climatiques,

Since 2023, escalating climate extremes, biodiversity collapse, and transboundary ecosystem degradation have outpaced policy responses. Key barriers include siloed institutions, underfunded nature-based solutions, and insufficient integration of water into climate and disaster risk strategies.

We apply Smartsettle Infinity to model multi-stakeholder consensus on climate-resilient water strategies, balancing ecological, social, and economic goals. It supports SDG 6 by aligning upstream-downstream interests, integrating DRR, and promoting ecosystem-based adaptation in transboundary contexts

The Transboundary Flood Initiative simulation uses Smartsettle Infinity to illustrate consensus-building on integrated floodplain and ecosystem management in the Sumas–Nooksack basin. Proposed by Smartsettle with Indigenous, civil society, and academic partners, it fosters cross-border collaboration, aligning DRR, habitat restoration, and SDG 6.

Environmental ministries and cross-border agencies must adopt collaborative decision-support platforms like Smartsettle Infinity to negotiate integrated solutions for climate resilience and ecosystem restoration. Embedding such tools in DRR and Source-to-Sea frameworks can transform fragmented responses into coordinated, SDG-aligned action.

Current drainage system where rain water is being drained away and reach the sea instead by reaching soil and deeper layers

Restoration of small water cycle and should be everyone's task to keep water in the land, recharge groundwater, rehabilitation of water ecosystem, more moisture in the air.

Complimentary role between 3 levels of governance, village, national and global by accounting and supportive to each other initiatives. Governance should be wider and inclusive to support these initiatives and deliberately looking for PPPP

Close dialogue and collaboration to align national priorities and act together

Power imbalances between those who define or frame a water issue and those whose lives are most affected by it (or will be Youth and children). People and communities need to be actively engaged in building resilient societies and economies.

Local government creates community water management working groups that provide a 'round table' for people and stakeholders to engage in thematic areas around water, climate change, sustainability as part of an on-going process (SDG 6b). Outcomes feed into local government decision and planning.

Cross-sectoral collaboration and action to understand and action on Water- Energy - Food - Ecosystem nexus where national policy and strategies support action at the community level with a focus on disaster preparedness and community security / resilience

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

It seems that the integration of biodiversity into national law is not well covered by all countries, and it is a prerequisite for maintaining long term access to sustainable and healthy water resources for all other uses, including drinking, health, food and welfare.

Consider making biodiversity a new human right, as it is currently seen in various types of international law, without consideration of the full range of human rights that are affected or its priority. A more holistic view of biodiversity would include accessibility for people and nature.

Partnership with IUCN to develop a new methodology to assess biodiversity as a human right, and assessment of how it is implemented in up to 30 countries globally. Stakeholder involved include all agencies working on biodiversity and the environment, OHCHR, and NGOs. Full consultation will start in 2026 once we have the country studies.

Create a new human right to biodiversity to ensure that water resources are protected at a higher standard that currently.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

"Post-2023, escalating climate shocks, biodiversity loss, desertification, and pollution from source to sea threaten ecosystems. Weak integration of water–climate policies, underfunded nature-based solutions, and limited disaster preparedness hinder resilience and SDG progress.

We pioneer solar-driven water systems (Solar2Water, S2Cool) and circular wastewater reuse (SAFECONOMY), integrating nature-based solutions and AI for climate resilience. These reduce desertification risks, cut pollution source-to-sea, and enhance disaster preparedness—advancing SDG6, SDG13 & SDG15.

Solar2Water pilots in South Africa & Pakistan—delivered with NGOs, academia & SMEs—provide off-grid drinking water using solar power, supporting climate resilience in drought-hit areas. The partnership reduces groundwater stress, empowers women & youth, and showcases scalable, rights-based solutions linking SDG6, SDG13 & SDG15.

By 2030, governments with UN leadership must mainstream nature-based and circular water solutions into climate & biodiversity strategies—scaling wetlands, reuse, and source-to-sea protection. Coupled with climate finance, this will build resilience, cut disaster risks, and secure SDG6, SDG13 & SDG15.

Eventos climáticos extremos, perda de biodiversidade aquática, poluição difusa, desertificação e falta de integração entre agendas climática, hídrica e de redução de desastres comprometem resiliência socioambiental.

Nature-based solutions, restauração de ecossistemas aquáticos, monitoramento integrado, políticas intersetoriais de clima e biodiversidade e inclusão de comunidades locais na gestão ambiental.

Governos e organismos multilaterais devem adotar políticas obrigatórias de restauração de bacias, proteção de zonas úmidas e integração entre metas de biodiversidade, clima e água, financiando soluções baseadas na natureza.

The Volunteer Team Foundation for Humanitarian Action

Climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification, pollution, and unsustainable water use increase disaster risk, weaken resilience, and disrupt source-to-sea ecosystems, threatening planetary health and SDG 6 progress.

Ecosystem-based management, integrated watershed planning, nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, pollution control, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to restore ecosystems and strengthen resilience

The “Source-to-Sea Restoration Initiative” united governments, NGOs, and local communities to rehabilitate wetlands and river basins, improving biodiversity and water quality. Early results show reduced flood risk and enhanced ecosystem services for 120,000 people.

Global and national policymakers must mainstream ecosystem-based approaches, enforce environmental protection, and invest in climate-resilient water systems to ensure sustainable management, biodiversity conservation, and disaster risk reduction

Institute of Sustainability and Carbon Footprint LLC

Climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification, pollution, and unsustainable water use increase disaster risk, weaken resilience, and disrupt source-to-sea ecosystems, threatening planetary health and SDG 6 progress.

Ecosystem-based management, integrated watershed planning, nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, pollution control, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to restore ecosystems and strengthen resilience

“Source-to-Sea Restoration Initiative” united governments, NGOs, and local communities to rehabilitate wetlands and river basins, improving biodiversity and water quality. Early results show reduced flood risk and enhanced ecosystem services for 120,000 people.

Policymakers and communities must mainstream ecosystem-based approaches, enforce environmental protection, and invest in climate-resilient water systems to ensure sustainable management, biodiversity conservation, and disaster risk reduction

Key challenges include coastal degradation, loss of mangroves, climate impacts, biodiversity loss, and limited community awareness. Strengthening mangrove restoration, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and integrating source-to-sea approaches should be prioritized at the 2026 UN Water Conference."

We restore and protect mangroves as nature-based solutions to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and disaster risks. Using community-led action, drone monitoring, and source-to-sea approaches, we enhance resilience, secure water, and advance SDG 6 and related goals."

Our ‘Mangroves for Planet Resilience’ initiative unites communities, NGOs, and research partners to restore mangroves that protect coasts, improve water quality, and reduce disaster risks. Using drone mapping and community stewardship, we strengthened biodiversity, built resilience, advanced SDG 6, and demonstrated the value of source-to-sea collaboration."

In the coming years, NGOs, private partners, and communities must scale up mangrove restoration as a transformative action to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and reduce disaster risks. Promoting these nature-based, source-to-sea solutions at the 2026 UN Water Conference can accelerate SDG 6 and strengthen planetary resilience."

Water Workers Association of Kenya

To confront climate shocks, biodiversity loss & desertification, we need integrated source-to-sea governance, investment in resilient infrastructure, and worker capacity for disaster risk reduction. The 2026 UN Water Conference should champion financing and policies that safeguard people and planet.

Through WPI–Canada training we built worker capacity on water quality and safety under climate stress; with Blue Community we advanced rights-based campaigns; and with GWOPA WOPs we supported utilities to cut NRW and boost resilience. These actions link ecosystems, equity, and SDG6 progress.

By 2030, governments must empower water workers as frontline actors in climate resilience, source-to-sea management, and disaster risk reduction. The 2026 UN Water Conference should promote policies and financing that strengthen worker capacity, protect ecosystems, and ensure vulnerable communities are not left behind while advancing SDG6.

Shree Someshwar Education Trust

Integrating climate-biodiversity resilience into water governance and financing remains a critical gap, hindering action on interconnected droughts, floods, and ecosystem degradation from source to sea.

Global Rainwater Management Program (GRMP) promotes decentralized rainwater harvesting as a nature-based solution to build climate resilience, reduce disaster risk, and restore degraded ecosystems from source to sea.
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https://youtu.be/7_a4Kj_iBfY?si=5SMX7BYt3tjuxU_p

Global Rainwater Management Program (GRMP): A multi-stakeholder partnership (Govts, UN, GWP, communities) leveraging AI-planning and community-led implementation for decentralized rainwater harvesting. Evidence: 2.7B liters/year recharged in India and Thailand; projected 30% groundwater rise in Oman. Accelerates SDG 6 implementation through scalable, nature-based resilience.

Iniciativa: “Índice de Valor Geoeconómico del Agua” (PRIAS-CEMEDE-USC). Integrará datos satelitales, variables climáticas y sociales para priorizar intervenciones hídricas en zonas vulnerables con presencia de obras de cosecha de agua. Alianza: academia, gobierno y cooperación técnica.

Water resilience =climate resilience. We can see that 8/10 of all disaster worldwide as water borne or water related. Low priority of water in policy discuss, improper inclusion of water in town planning and development, abuse of water ways by human development etc

We run a number of training on climate smart agriculture, sustainable ground water management, climate education at the basic level etc. we also run projects with farmers on agroecology and sustainable soil management, policy dialogue with parliament to advocate for more policies

Her I think of various finance mechanisms green climate fund, adaptation funds, underdeveloped country funds etc thought not easy to access. We have developed a lot of project proposals in collaboration with the UNFCCC Focal point, to lobby funding but still not successful at all

The right partnership between private, public, donors and non governmental organisation that will be inclusive and smart. With the right implementation and monitoring framework

Ogoni youth alliance for climate change and sustainable development

Key challenges includes accelerating climate change impacts, biodiversity loss, increasing desertification, water scarcity, and inadequate disaster resilience. Issues like extreme weather events and pollution require urgent prioritization to strengthen global water and environmental resilience

Our organization promotes integrated water management through innovative technologies, nature-based solutions, and enhanced data monitoring. We support policies fostering resilience, ecosystem conservation, and multi-sector collaboration to advance SDG 6 and related goals effectively.

The Water and Nature Partnership integrates ecosystem-based solutions with local communities, leading to improved water quality and resilience. Stakeholders include governments, NGOs, and private sector. Results show enhanced ecosystem health, strengthened capacity, and increased stakeholder collaboration, accelerating SDG 6 progress.

By 2030, governments must commit to integrated water and ecosystem management, supported by innovative financing and strong policy frameworks. At the 2026 UN Water Conference, global leaders should champion these commitments, fostering collaboration across sectors to build resilience, protect biodiversity, and ensure equitable water access for all.

International Helping For The Young

Key challenges since 2023 worsening climate-water extremes, rising water-related conflicts, underfunded nature-based solutions, limited integration of water in biodiversity and DRR plans, and slow progress on Source-to-Sea governance. These must be prioritized at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

We promote integrated water-climate-biodiversity strategies, advance nature-based solutions for resilience, support community-led DRR initiatives, and enhance Source-to-Sea governance. We use digital tools for real-time water monitoring to accelerate SDG 6 and related SDGs progress.

The Source-to-Sea Initiative, led by SIWI with UNEP, GEF, and local partners, fosters integrated land-freshwater-marine governance. In Sri Lanka and El Salvador, it improved water quality and reduced plastic pollution through multi-stakeholder action, combining policy reform, community engagement, and capacity building.

By 2030, governments must adopt integrated water-climate-biodiversity policies backed by dedicated financing and accountability mechanisms. A global framework for Source-to-Sea governance, led by UN-Water and national agencies, would be transformative to align action across ecosystems and sectors.

Barokupot Ganochetona Foundation -BGF

“Key challenges include climate-induced water stress, biodiversity loss, land degradation, pollution of freshwater and coastal systems, weak source-to-sea governance, and inadequate disaster resilience planning—urgent priorities for discussion at the 2026 UN Water Conference.”

“We implement integrated watershed management, restore ecosystems, strengthen source-to-sea governance, promote climate-resilient water infrastructure, use real-time monitoring for early warning, and engage communities to advance SDG 6, biodiversity, and disaster resilience.”

“Through the ‘Source-to-Sea Resilience’ initiative, we partnered with local governments, community groups, and conservation NGOs to restore riverine and coastal ecosystems. This improved freshwater quality for 4,000+ people, enhanced biodiversity, strengthened community-led governance, and accelerated SDG 6 and climate resilience outcomes.”

“Governments, in collaboration with communities, NGOs, and the private sector, must adopt integrated source-to-sea management, restore ecosystems, and implement climate-resilient water infrastructure to enhance biodiversity, reduce disaster risks, and accelerate SDG 6 and environmental sustainability by 2030.”

Association for Farmers Rights Defense, AFRD

Key challenges: accelerating climate-driven droughts and floods, groundwater overuse, biodiversity loss from degraded watersheds, weak Source-to-Sea governance, and limited disaster preparedness. Priorities: ecosystem-based water management, resilience, and cross-border cooperation.

AFRD Georgia applies ecosystem-based water management, pilots permaculture against desertification, restores riparian zones for biodiversity, and promotes community-led drought/flood monitoring. We link groundwater conservation with resilience-building to advance SDG 6 and climate goals

Through the ‘Source-to-Sea Resilience’ initiative, AFRD Georgia collaborates with local communities, municipalities, and universities to restore watersheds, enhance biodiversity, and implement early flood/drought monitoring. Results include improved water quality and ecosystem health, strengthened community capacity, and multi-stakeholder governance supporting SDG 6.

Establish upstream-downstream linkages for Payment for Ecosystem Services taking water as an ecosystem service to consider. Many countries attempted, but only few countries has adopted this approach.

Local financial mechanism for clean water- financing for water can be an agenda for discussion. This includes Payment for Ecosystem Services taking water as a ecosystem service to consider. This could help connecting upstream and downstream community for safe and quality water,

Nature based solution for water source conservation, management and supply of clean water to the people as well as wildlife. Community based forest ecosystem management approaches in water conservation not only be helpful for water supply to community, but also instrumental for wild animal to get water in the context of climate change leading to drying of water sources.

Ecosystem based approach for water sources conservation, water source management and control of siltation in river system.

Centro de Innovación, Tecnología y Agua, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur

Climate-induced groundwater depletion in arid regions. Fragmented monitoring systems lacking real-time integration. Limited tech access in vulnerable communities. Inadequate financing for nature-based solutions. Weak governance linking water-biodiversity-climate policies since 2023.

Smart metering + aquifer recharge via natural channels. Real-time monitoring coupled with ecosystem restoration. Community-based networks using simplified tools. Arid-zone protocols integrating traditional knowledge with hydrotechnology for climate resilience.

UABCS Smart Water Initiative: IoT meters + community monitoring in BCS arid zones. Results: 35% consumption reduction, 40% aquifer recharge increase via natural channels. Stakeholders: UABCS Center for Innovation, technology and water, Ayuntamiento La Paz, local communities. Approach: Tech-nature integration with participatory governance model.

Establish Arid Zone Water-Climate Nexus Protocol by UN-Water + regional governments. Mandate integrated smart monitoring systems linking groundwater, biodiversity, and climate data. Actor: UN-Water Conference 2026. Impact: Standardized frameworks for water-ecosystem resilience in dryland regions globally.

Simon Fraser University, Pacific Water Research Centre

Key Challenges: 1. Divorcing water scarcity and desertification from development initiatives, by labeling it as an "environmental" problem; 2. Inadequate financial resources provided to initiatives that would prevent water-related disasters (e.g., Loss and Damage Fund set up in Egypt, 2022).

Solutions: 1. Comprehensive quantification of flood-related economic impacts in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The UN Security Council must continue its dialogues on water security and climate change impacts, as a consideration towards global and regional peace and security.

Ignacy Moscicki University of Applied Sciences in Ciechanów, 06-400 Ciechanów, Poland 2.

The problem is still the lack of a universal methodology to ensure the participation of local communities (as stakeholders) within local water partnerships in planning and implementing local strategies for the retention and protection of water resources.

At the university, we are implementing the Science4Business project as part of the European Funds for Modern Economy program, within which one of the research tasks concerns the development of a simulator for planning local strategies for retention and protection of water resources.

As part of the publication "Local Water Partnership, the Universal Model of Water Resources Management", published in the USA by Brill 2024, we propose a proven methodology for planning water security at the local level https://brill.com/display/title/70086

It is essential to implement a universal model for water resources management at the local level. This recommendation should be adopted by the UN and recommended at the national level. An example of the model we submitted to the Water Action Agenda and develop is https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/universal-model-local-water-partnership-and-local-water-strategy-basis-building-water

Escalating marine heatwaves, biodiversity loss, desertification, plastic & microplastic pollution, and weak source-to-sea governance hinder resilience. Gaps in disaster risk financing and cross-border ecosystem data remain critical barriers.

BlueToken drives climate resilience by rewarding seagrass restoration, plastic removal & sustainable fishing. Blockchain-secured marine data improves biodiversity monitoring, source-to-sea governance, and disaster risk planning, advancing SDG 6, 13 & 14.

BlueToken Trace & Restore pilots in Greece unite fishers, NGOs, scientists & regulators through tokenized rewards and blockchain-secured marine data. Early results show improved biodiversity monitoring, reduced IUU fishing, and active coastal community engagement, proving digital partnerships can accelerate SDG 6, 13 & 14.

States and multilateral banks must scale nature-based solutions—seagrass, wetlands, mangroves—backed by digital monitoring and community incentives. Embedding these ecosystems in climate, disaster and biodiversity finance is transformative for resilience and SDG delivery.

As a Ghanaian living in the current climate, this is one of the themes that I am most affected by. The change in weather and climate conditions and the danger to environment and associated human health due to illegal mining including mining in natural reserves is now a disaster waiting to happen.

The organization in which I work has conducted research to collect and gather current and trending data on the quality state of the water bodies and their changing states. This has helped advice, suggest and inform policy strategies on the need to tackle the problem of environmental destruction.

While declaring states of emergencies in areas affected by irresponsible environmental practices might be far-fetched, strong implementation of existing rules, regulations and policies for environmental protection is required. Again, multinational organizations and businesses should commit a greater part of funding towards developing environmentally friendly technology.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

les défis sont multiples entre autres: perturbation du cycle de l'eau, fonte des glaciers et réduction des réserves, dégradation de milieux aquatiques, fragmentation des écosystèmes et la croissance démographique

les solutions: restoration des écosystèmes, gestion de paysage, irrigation recupérationdes eaux de pluies

cadre de sendai pour la réduction de risques de catastrophe pour renforcer la résilience des communauté

Education communautaire inclusive par autonomisation locale et réduction des inégalités ainsique résilience face aux crises

Since 2023, climate extremes, rapid biodiversity loss, desertification, and worsening drought-flood cycles have intensified. Weak integration of water into climate/biodiversity policies and limited financing for nature-based solutions hinder resilience and SDG6 progress.

Advancing nature-based solutions like wetland restoration and sustainable aquifer recharge, deploying remote sensing for drought/flood risk, and promoting source-to-sea management to link climate, biodiversity & water action—accelerating SDG6 and resilience.

The Great Green Wall Initiative unites African states, UN agencies & communities to combat desertification and restore degraded lands. Over 20M hectares have been restored, improving water retention, biodiversity, and livelihoods. This partnership shows how NbS and cross-border collaboration accelerate SDG6 & resilience.

By 2030, governments and UN agencies must mainstream nature-based solutions—wetland restoration, aquifer recharge, coastal protection—into climate and biodiversity plans, backed by sustainable finance. This transformative action links water, ecosystems, and resilience, accelerating SDG6 and disaster risk reduction.

South Asia Young Women in Water (SAYWiW)

Rising plastic pollution threatens freshwater and marine biodiversity, disrupting ecosystems and human health. Weak regulation, fragmented data, and lack of financing hinder progress. Urgent cross-sector action on the plastic–biodiversity nexus is vital for 2026 discussions.

Through our work with the World Economic Forum’s GPAP, we assess plastic pollution’s impact on biodiversity in key Indian cities, using GIS mapping, community engagement, and legal review to co-create locally grounded, cross-sector solutions advancing SDG 6 and related SDGs.

As leaders of the GPAP–WEF Plastic Pollution & Biodiversity Assessment, we integrate science, policy, and community insight to deliver actionable policy recommendations, showcasing a collaborative, data-driven pathway to advance SDG 6.

By 2030, governments and international financial institutions must embed legally binding targets and financing for plastic pollution reduction and biodiversity restoration within water governance frameworks linking source-to-sea management with climate and disaster risk strategies to accelerate SDG 6 and planetary resilience.

Desertification and rising heat trends. Bangladesh saw its hottest summer in 45 years and it caused a 1.9 trillion USD loss in expected labor.

Monitoring water quality and usage with digital tools and pricing the usage in a just manner.

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Through the ‘Source-to-Sea Resilience Initiative,’ local governments, NGOs, and research institutions restored wetlands and reduced river pollution. Serving 100k people, it improved biodiversity, cut flood risks by 35%, and established multi-stakeholder governance platforms, accelerating SDG 6 progress.

Here’s a draft within 400 characters:

By 2030, governments, supported by multilateral partners and local communities, must implement integrated source-to-sea management with nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, and multi-stakeholder governance. This transformative action will protect ecosystems, reduce disaster risks, and advance SDG 6.

Rising climate shocks, biodiversity loss, desertification, and pollution from source to sea are worsening since 2023. Limited financing, weak ecosystem governance, and fragmented disaster risk strategies hinder resilience and must be prioritized for 2026 discussions.

We apply geodata and AI to track water-climate risks, support reforestation and soil restoration in drylands, and pilot community-based early warning systems. By linking ecosystems, disaster resilience, and livelihoods, we advance SDG 6 alongside climate and biodiversity goals.

The Climate-Water Resilience Partnership with Ghana COCOBOD, local NGOs, and research institutions used geodata to map desertification hotspots and pilot watershed restoration. Results: improved soil moisture, reduced runoff, and enhanced farmer resilience, achieved through joint leadership and community-driven collaboration.

By 2030, governments, multilateral banks, and local communities must co-invest in large-scale, nature-based solutions such as restoring watersheds, wetlands, and forests—while embedding digital monitoring for climate risk mitigation. This transformative action will protect biodiversity, boost resilience, and accelerate SDG 6 progress.

Youth and local communities remain excluded from formal transboundary water governance, which is dominated by state actors. This exclusion hinders the long-term trust and social license needed for resilient cooperation.

Our organization builds capacity in water diplomacy by sending youth delegates to international forums. We will leverage this by facilitating "Youth Water Dialogues" in shared Asia-Pacific basins, creating an informal, track-2 diplomacy channel to build trust and cooperation.

Initiative: The UNESCO Groundwater Youth Network. As Chair, I led a global partnership of youth, UNESCO experts, and national commissions. Result: We co-created 30 official declarations and successfully integrated youth priorities into the UN 2023 Water Conference outcomes. This is a proven model for intergenerational scientific and policy cooperation on a global scale.

Transformative Action: The Bureau of the UN Water Convention must establish a formal Youth Advisory Council. By Whom: The Bureau of the Water Convention, in partnership with youth constituencies. This action would institutionalize the role of young people, ensuring their perspectives are formally integrated into all activities and decisions related to transboundary water cooperation.

Regenerative agriculture and agriculture intensification as part of the solutions to recover degraded soils, maximize production and reducing effects on the environment and biodiversity.

Innovation in agricultural processes, promotion of regenerative agriculture, investment in R&D for crops requiring less water

Water cycle destabilization due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and insufficient resilience.

Nature-based solutions, city resilience programs (C40 Water Safe Cities), and disaster risk reduction strategies.

C40–Grundfos Foundation “Water Safe Cities Program”: Megacities piloting resilience accelerators, expanding city signatories.

Scale up nature-based and climate-resilient water management, with cities and private sector as champions.

Escola de Educação Infantil Crescendo Sempre V

A intensificação de eventos climáticos extremos e a perda de biodiversidade exigem educação ambiental desde a primeira infância. Formar crianças conscientes fortalece a resiliência comunitária e deve ser prioridade nas discussões da ONU em 2026.

O projeto “Gota d’Água” promove ações lúdicas sobre clima e meio ambiente com crianças de 0 a 3 anos. Envolvemos educadores e famílias para formar gerações resilientes e conscientes, contribuindo para os ODS 6, 13 e 15 com base na educação transformadora.

A iniciativa “Gota d’Água” promoveu parceria entre escola, famílias e gestão pedagógica para ensinar crianças de 0 a 3 anos sobre clima e meio ambiente. A abordagem lúdica gerou engajamento comunitário e consciência ambiental precoce, contribuindo para o avanço do ODS 6 e da resiliência local.

Governos e redes de ensino devem incluir educação ambiental desde a primeira infância como política pública. Formar crianças conscientes sobre clima, biodiversidade e cuidado com a água é uma ação transformadora que fortalece a resiliência e acelera o avanço dos ODS até 2030.

climate-driven water scarcity, ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, unsustainable land use, pollution, weak source-to-sea governance and inadequate disaster risk planning - issues intensified since 2023, requiring urgent cross-sectoral, nature-based and resilience-focused solutions.

Resilient40 advances SDG 6 by promoting youth-led source-to-sea dialogues, integrating nature-based solutions for water and biodiversity, supporting climate-resilient WASH, leveraging digital monitoring for ecosystems and linking disaster risk reduction with community-driven water stewardship.

Resilient40’s Climate Cafés and Hubs engage youth across 38 African countries, fostering dialogues on climate, water, biodiversity and resilience. Led by Resilient40 with local volunteers and NGOs, they have reached 800,000+ people, strengthened community-led ecosystem stewardship and informed policy through inclusive, cross-sector collaboration.

A transformative action is for African governments, with youth networks like Resilient40 and global partners, to implement integrated Source-to-Sea management frameworks that protect ecosystems, restore biodiversity, reduce disaster risks and ensure climate-resilient water systems, fostering resilient communities by 2030.

Fundación Mexicana René Mey associate civil

Key challenges include lack of climate-resilient water infrastructure, weak integration of water into biodiversity and DRR strategies, limited finance for nature-based solutions, and gaps in source-to-sea governance—issues worsened by rising climate impacts post-2023.

We promote nature-based solutions for flood and drought resilience, integrate source-to-sea approaches in watershed management, invest in green infrastructure, and use geospatial tools to monitor ecosystem health—advancing SDG 6 and climate-biodiversity goals.

The Source-to-Sea Initiative, led by SIWI, unites governments, NGOs, and private sector actors to manage land, freshwater, coastal, and marine systems holistically. In the Mekong and Caribbean regions, it improved wastewater governance, reduced pollution, and enhanced climate resilience through multi-stakeholder collaboration.

A transformative action is for governments and financial institutions to mainstream climate-resilient, nature-based water solutions into national adaptation plans and budgets. This shift must be backed by inclusive, cross-sectoral governance and financing mechanisms, promoted and scaled at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Climate change, grapples with interconnected water challenges. Deforestation exacerbates desertification, shrinking water sources and threatening biodiversity. Pollution, from both domestic and industrial waste, contaminates rivers and groundwater, impacting the "source to sea".

UDS has supported strengthening community-led resilience building, integrating climate adaptation into water resource management, and fostering transboundary cooperation to protect shared aquatic ecosystems in various communities in which we work.

UDS Ghana's 'Sustainable Rural Water Access Initiative' exemplifies SDG 6 partnerships. Led by UDS faculties (Agriculture/Engineering), it collaborates with District Assemblies & communities, using participatory approaches for borehole installation and management. Results: ~5,000 rural residents gained access to safe water, reducing waterborne diseases, and boosting community-led capacity.

We must institutionalize integrated water resource management (IWRM) with strong focus on climate resilience and nature-based solutions. This requires bold leadership from the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency to enact and enforce policies prioritizing watershed protection, sustainable land use, and community-led adaptation.

focus on climate resilience and nature-based solutions

Climate extremes, degraded watersheds and land subsidence; source-to-sea pollution (incl. plastics); fragmented DRR–water planning; weak data/EWS; limited finance for nature-based and resilient infrastructure; cross-jurisdiction governance gaps.

IdWA scales Water Engineer for resilience; brokers city–industry catchment compacts (MAR, flood retention, reuse, pretreatment, plastic-leakage control); co-hosts policy roundtables with DSDAN; deploys low-cost sensors/EWS and open data; catalyzes PPP/blended finance for blue-green projects..

“Catchment-to-Coast Resilience” approach: IdWA + DSDAN, utilities, industry, universities and communities. Co-training via Water Engineer, pilots on MAR/urban retention and source-to-sea pollution control, with SOPs/toolkits adopted by members; repeat cohorts; policy briefs informing SDG-6 and DRR.

Establish a National Blue-Green Resilience Program (by 2026), co-led by Government/DSDAN with IdWA, cities, utilities, industry and donors: integrated basin-to-coast pipeline (MAR, wetlands/mangroves, floodplain reconnection, pollution control, EWS), open data, ring-fenced O&M, and a blended-finance facility with annual disclosure.

Key challenges include escalating climate impacts, biodiversity loss, and desertification. Since 2023, more frequent extreme events, migration pressures, and weak integration of “source-to-sea” approaches highlight the urgent need for resilient, cross-sector, values-driven leadership.

Paxaterra Global advances SDG 6 by integrating climate and water stewardship into Lead with Soul leadership programs, fostering cultures of resilience and cross-sector cooperation. We equip leaders to act on biodiversity, source-to-sea protection, and disaster risk reduction.

Through the Lead with Soul Resilience Circles, Paxaterra Global partners with educators, civic groups, and sustainability leaders to link climate and water action with leadership culture. Early results show stronger collaboration, values-based decision-making, and adoption of source-to-sea practices supporting SDG 6 progress.

By 2030, governments and multilateral agencies must embed integrated water–climate–biodiversity strategies into national policy and financing. Prioritizing source-to-sea protection and resilience, guided by values-driven leadership and inclusive collaboration, will accelerate SDG 6 and safeguard ecosystems and communities.

challenges include climate-driven water stress, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and polluted waterways. Since 2023, rising extreme weather, weak source-to-sea governance, and limited disaster-risk planning have intensified vulnerabilities, demanding urgent focus at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

WEC implements watershed restoration, mangrove and wetland conservation, and source-to-sea monitoring. We engage communities and youth in ecosystem-based adaptation, promote nature-based disaster risk reduction, and use digital tools to track water, biodiversity, and SDG 6 progress.

WEC’s ‘Source-to-Sea Resilience Program’ partners with local communities, NGOs, and governments to restore wetlands and riverine ecosystems. Mangrove planting and watershed rehabilitation improved water quality for 50,000+ people. Youth and civil society lead awareness campaigns, while digital monitoring ensures transparency and SDG 6 alignment.

By 2030, governments, civil society, and private sector must implement integrated, nature-based water management across landscapes and coasts. Scaling wetlands, mangroves, and watershed restoration with community leadership will build resilience, protect biodiversity, and ensure SDG 6 progress—key for discussion at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Défis majeurs : dégradation accélérée des écosystèmes aquatiques, manque de coordination entre conventions climat-biodiversité-eau, sous-financement de la résilience locale, et absence de suivi intégré « source à mer » depuis 2023.

Solutions proposées : restauration des zones humides pour la résilience climatique, cartographie participative des risques liés à l’eau, intégration de l’approche « source à mer » dans les projets locaux, et sensibilisation intersectorielle climat-biodiversité-eau.

L’initiative « Source to Sea » (SIWI–UNEP) relie gouvernance de l’eau, climat et biodiversité. Elle implique États, ONG, scientifiques et communautés pour réduire la pollution et restaurer les écosystèmes. Résultats : plans d’action intégrés, renforcement des capacités locales et leadership multipartite.

D’ici 2030, il faut instaurer des corridors écologiques hydriques transfrontaliers, pilotés par des coalitions d’États, ONG et communautés locales, pour restaurer les écosystèmes, renforcer la résilience climatique et intégrer la gestion « source à mer » dans les politiques régionales.

Résilience : restaurer les écosystèmes et renforcer les capacités face aux crises climatiques.

JAHAZI EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

Key challenges include accelerating climate impacts, ecosystem degradation, desertification, weak disaster preparedness, poor source-to-sea management, inadequate financing for nature-based solutions, and fragmented policies that limit coordinated environmental action.

We restore degraded lands through community tree planting, build water pans for drought resilience, and promote ecosystem-based adaptation. We integrate local knowledge, climate action, and biodiversity protection while monitoring SDG 6 and related goals through participatory approaches.

Mt. Kulal Ecosystem Restoration Program – A partnership with local communities, county government, and NGOs to restore degraded lands through tree planting, water pans, and climate adaptation. It has improved biodiversity, enhanced water retention, and strengthened community-led environmental stewardship.

Governments and partners must scale up nature-based solutions and invest in community-led ecosystem restoration to build climate resilience, protect biodiversity, and reduce disaster risks. Empowering local actors will accelerate SDG 6 progress and strengthen integrated water and environmental management by 2030.

is Sea Water Desalination a sustainable solution? does it really impact the environment (ecological system). facts and figures to support both arguments

Key challenges include limited water access for vulnerable and marginalized communities, climate impacts like droughts and floods, land degradation, biodiversity loss, inadequate housing, gaps in resources, and weaknesses in inclusive governance, transparency, and accountability

BRO restores watersheds, improves water and sanitation access, fosters climate resilience, and applies innovative, community-based solutions to achieve SDG 6 and interlinked SDGs.

Barwaqa Relief Organization collaborates with local communities, Water Unity Network, and stakeholders on integrated watershed management, climate resilience, and sustainable water access initiatives, improving SDG 6 progress and supporting vulnerable populations.

By 2030, governments, NGOs, and communities should implement integrated watershed management, restore ecosystems, and ensure equitable water access for marginalized populations to strengthen resilience, safeguard biodiversity, and reduce climate and disaster risks.

Center for Scientific and Technical Research on Arid Regions CRSTRA

Rising climate extremes, desertification, and biodiversity loss, combined with groundwater depletion and pollution, hinder resilience. Since 2023, escalating droughts, floods, and weak integration of water-climate policies have intensified these global challenges.

We are piloting a geophysics- and AI-based groundwater monitoring system in arid regions to combat desertification, enhance climate resilience, and protect ecosystems. The approach links water security with biodiversity, disaster risk reduction, and SDG 6 acceleration.

The “Infonappe Sahara” initiative in Algeria combines geophysics, AI, and local partnerships to track groundwater under desertification pressure. Led by researchers with farmers, municipalities, and ICT experts, it improved water resilience, reduced over-extraction, and fostered biodiversity protection, advancing SDG 6.

By 2030, governments, research bodies, and local communities must jointly scale digital groundwater and ecosystem monitoring systems to combat desertification and climate risks. This transformative action will strengthen resilience, safeguard biodiversity, and accelerate SDG 6 implementation.

Water Utility Monitoring and Support Organization (Non provit NGO)

Non availability of data and information is the real challage ,specially developing countries.Need to discus how the data management can be improved and real time data would support for decision making

support with ground level information can be managed.However not available ground level data and information collection systems.Need to aware and introduce IT systerm

establishment of different level committees with involvement policy makers to community of different relevant stakeholders worked well in Sri Lanka .But need to established permanently

Need to established high powered independent institution under head of state Should be enough power to manage and work with different water institution and other sectors

Key challenges include accelerating climate change impacts on water systems, biodiversity loss, increasing desertification, pollution of freshwater and marine ecosystems, weak source-to-sea management, and insufficient disaster risk reduction strategies that leave communities vulnerable.

Waterlight Save Initiative implements solar-powered water systems, restores degraded watersheds, promotes community-led river and coastal cleanups, integrates climate-resilient practices, and partners with governments and UN agencies to enhance biodiversity, resilience, and SDG 6 progress.

Our Watershed Restoration & Resilience Initiative with UN agencies, local governments, and community groups rehabilitated 250+ degraded sites, reduced flood risks, improved freshwater biodiversity, and strengthened climate resilience through co-designed, multi-stakeholder management and continuous monitoring for SDG 6.

A transformative action is for governments, UN agencies, and local communities to implement integrated source-to-sea management, combining ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction, ensuring resilient water systems, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development by 2030.

Water in Religions: “And We made from water every living thing.

malu global water for all the people

UNESCO Association Guwahati, India

Key challenges include climate-driven floods and droughts, rapid groundwater depletion, river and coastal pollution, biodiversity loss, desertification, weak source-to-sea governance, and inadequate disaster preparedness—urgent for 2026 UN Water Conference.

Promoting watershed restoration, afforestation, rainwater harvesting, coastal wetland protection, wastewater reuse, climate-resilient infrastructure, and community-based disaster planning to safeguard ecosystems, build resilience, and accelerate SDG 6 and related goals.

The Namami Gange Mission unites government, local bodies, NGOs, and communities to restore the Ganga. Through sewage treatment, riverbank afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and citizen engagement, water quality has improved in several stretches, demonstrating integrated, source-to-sea collaboration for SDG 6.

By 2030, a transformative action is large-scale ecosystem restoration—rivers, wetlands, forests, and coasts—led by governments with community stewardship, private investment, and scientific innovation. Promoted at the 2026 UN Water Conference, this builds resilience, curbs desertification, and safeguards biodiversity.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Asia faces worsening droughts, flooding and biodiversity loss, weak source-to-sea governance in the Pearl River, limited ecosystem finance, and fragmented climate–water–DRR policies. Extreme events and habitat decline have outpaced cross-border coordination and nature-based resilience planning.

We work on legal frameworks for source-to-sea governance in the Pearl River, promote nature-based solutions for flood and drought resilience, support biodiversity mainstreaming in water policy, and will collaborate with NGOS and cities to align climate, DRR and ecosystem protection under SDG 6.

Hong Kong’s RGC-funded GBA Water Cooperation Project brings together legal scholars, planners and NGOs across Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong. By analysing cross-jurisdictional cost-sharing, eco-compensation and basin institutions, it creates new collaboration models beyond sovereign riparian politics, informing SDG 6 planning and integrated basin management in the GBA.

A transformative step is for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao authorities to jointly adopt a source-to-sea climate resilience plan with shared financing for wetland restoration, flood control and pollution reduction. Embedding biodiversity and DRR into basin planning—beyond administrative borders—should be championed at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

collaborative community empowerment

Emerging challenges include intensifying droughts and floods, accelerated biodiversity loss, expanding desertification, insufficient climate finance. Limited disaster preparedness and gaps in integrating water into climate and biodiversity policies hinder progress since 2023.

We advance SDG 6 by piloting nature-based solutions (wetland restoration, reforestation), promoting climate-smart water systems (solar pumping, rainwater harvesting), and integrating community-led disaster risk plans with digital monitoring to build resilience and protect ecosystems.

The Great Green Wall Initiative shows how regional cooperation restores degraded land, combats desertification, and improves water security. Led by the African Union with UN agencies, governments, and communities, it has restored millions of hectares, boosted livelihoods, and strengthened climate resilience—advancing SDG 6 and biodiversity goals.

By 2030, governments and global financial institutions must mainstream nature-based water solutions—restoring wetlands, forests, and watersheds—into climate, biodiversity, and disaster risk policies. Promoted at the 2026 UN Water Conference, this action builds resilience, safeguards ecosystems, and accelerates SDG 6 progress.

Fragmentation of data and governance, weak basin resilience, limited early-warning systems, and lack of integration between biodiversity, water and climate policies hinder progress. Climate extremes intensify desertification and flood risks.

UMJAE + STRATEAU: youth–science–policy cells using interoperable dashboards, nature-based solutions for catchment resilience, and training of coordinators to link water, biodiversity and risk reduction in decision-making.

Tripartite agreements AdE–basin agencies–universities show that shared data dashboards accelerate flood/drought risk response. Pilots in Morocco, Lebanon and Jordan prove faster analysis, youth engagement and integration of NbS into local planning. Partners: Cerema, ABH, USEK, UMJAE.

By 2030, institutionalize basin–university–youth cells as permanent resilience platforms. Led by basin agencies with youth input, they will produce harmonized climate-water-biodiversity data, enabling early warning, NbS uptake and alignment with SDG 6 and SDG 13.

There is so much greenwashing taking place, and with excellent people and groups supporting it nonetheless, around corporate water policy in key basins and in international fora, with very little courage to even question this trend. This leads to a profound lack of trust in civil society.

We continue to reach out to corporate-led water coalitions to try to foster open dialogue about the costs/benefits of corporate leadership in water; and work with climate justice groups to much more concertedly focus on water in their campaigns.

Communities affected by industrial pineapple in Costa Rica, where we are located, collaborated with Insure Our Future and Insure Our Survival campaigns (Feb. 2024 and Sept. 2025), to open dialogue with pineapple growers about the financial viability of this crop in the face of climate change. This campaign has helped raise awareness about the financial liabilities of continuing with this crop.

Corporate-led water coalitions and allies collaborating at the UN need to be much more proactive in fostering, vs. tamping down or ignoring, systemic critiques of continuing to support vs. dismantle extractive industries in key basins. They need as well to weave into their dialogue conversations about the need to tax corporations, forgive debt, etc.

Laboratory of Modeling in Hydraulics and Environment (LMHE), National Engineering School of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, BP 37, Belvedere, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia

Overexploitation of coastal aquifers, an increase of seawater intrusion, a lack of adequate circular water principles integration, and weak reuse of treated wastewater for managed aquifer recharge.

FEFLOW-MCA-GIS framework to optimize Managed Aquifer Recharge with treated wastewater and unconventional water, enhancing coastal aquifer resilience, aligning with SDGs 6, 12, and 13; and saving the environment and natural resources from pollution and biodegradation

FEFLOW-MCA-GIS partnership with Tunisian water/agencies optimizes Managed Aquifer Recharge using treated wastewater. Evidence: 75% recharge capacity enhances restoration, cuts costs 30%, land use 22%. A circular economy model accelerating SDG 6 & 12 in semi-arid regions. The results are now directly informing Tunisia's national GIRE 2030 water strategy.

By 2030, national governments must mandate and fund the integration of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) with treated wastewater into national water policies, aligning with circular economy principles. This action, to be promoted at the 2026 UN Water Conference, will directly enhance water security, climate resilience, and ecosystem health from source to sea.

Groupement Agropastoral pour le Développement de Yongoro

Les services d'assainissement dans les zones rurales de la RCA, où 87,5 % de la population utilise des latrines non améliorées ou
Défèque à l'air libre (JMP, 2023),Ce projet va permettre aux agriculteurs d'optimiser leurs opérations dans les de maximiser leurs rendements et de réduire leur impact environnemental.

Si les capacités techniques et institutionnelles sont renforcées pour mener des évaluations des risques climatiques, concevoir et
Mettre en œuvre des infrastructures WASH résilientes au climat, améliorer la gestion des ressources en eau et des risques de catastrophe, améliorer les systèmes
D’alerte précoce, alors la résilience des services WASH et des communautés vulnérables en RCA sera bon

Access to real time forecasting and information for coastal disasters (flooding from hurricanes/cyclones, tsunamis, storms, etc) that are delivered via cell phone apps to all coastal communities around the world so they are warned, can evacuate, and plan.

Capacity building at the local level to increase resilience. Delivering tools that aid in real time forecasting for decision makers and communities.

https://thewaterinstitute.org/projects/crc highlights several projects related to local resilience and capacity building for local communities. Innovative ways of working with locals on insurance, flooding, etc. https://thewaterinstitute.org/floodid present a tool that helps with real time disaster risk reduction.

Worldwide disaster risk reduction tools for flooding available to local communities on cell phones so they can prepare, evaluate, plan.

Fragmented governance, narrow efficiency metrics, and sectoral silos prevent system-wide resilience. Lack of recognition of socio-ecological interdependence undermines adaptive capacity, while climate extremes accelerate risks faster than institutions transform.

Apply systems and resilience thinking in basin planning; integrate climate, biodiversity, and DRR through socio-ecological indicators; foster adaptive governance; pilot NbS that regenerate ecosystems; strengthen cross-scale learning platforms to mainstream transformation.

Application of serious games like the Wat-A-Game toolkit fosters dialogue among farmers, authorities, and communities, co-designing water allocation and adaptation pathways. Results: shared understanding of trade-offs, strengthened trust, uptake of NbS, and enhanced adaptive capacity across socio-ecological systems.

Adopt resilience-based water governance that treats basins as socio-ecological systems. Embed systemic risk assessment, resilience metrics, and adaptive pathways in policies and practice, fostering regenerative water management that restores ecosystems, strengthens communities, and enables transformation.

Water pollution is affecting biodiversity in the water
Disasters caused by heavy rainfall, floods, Tsunamis, landslides are catastrophic

Nature based solutions such as: planting of mangroves, trees, green cities and green streets, effective waste management

Community approach in identifying challenges and solutions

Water management, adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction.

In the Amazon, progress is hindered by deforestation, fires, droughts and floods that affect access to safe water. It is urgent to integrate water, energy, bioeconomy, climate, forest and disaster risk reduction policies to strengthen regional resilience.

We implement integrated solutions in traditional communities located in protected areas of the Amazon, using solar energy and community management to ensure safe water, strengthen resilience to droughts and floods, and contribute to SDGs 6, 7, and 13.

The Puxirum Institute works with traditional communities in the Amazon, implementing resilient water access solutions and promoting the use of renewable energy. The initiative involves local governments, universities, and research institutions, strengthening community management and resilience to droughts and floods, with replicable results.

By 2030, governments and international partners must expand investments in resilient water access and renewable energy solutions in the Amazon, strengthening community management, forest protection, and the integration of climate, biodiversity, and disaster risk reduction policies.

International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO)

Inaccessibility of climate finance for project holders of local actions (not volume : access). Inability to prioritize measures for systematic implementation from source to sea with high co-benefits for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, risk reduction and combatting desertification.

Providing technical support to project holders under the framework of an incubation process for the first steps of feasibility study is essential to accelerate the development of projects of adaptation to climate change at basin level, from source to sea, and facilitate access to climate finance.

Project incubation should be generalized. The modest financial support required accelerates project development and leverage greater financial resources. It can spill-over water and climate to include the source to sea approach with the development of projects to reduce the transfer of waste and plastics from inland waters to the ocean and to improve the transfer of sediments from ridge-to-reef.

tokenization of the participation of communities in developing climate solutions, lack of access to information, corruption and misuse/diversion of climate funds for other purposes, lack of accountability of decisionmakers and implementers to demonstrate achieved goals in climate adaptation projects

budet tracking, social accountability tools, training CSOs and communities on governance risks and corresponding tools, capacitating government and community groups

We are trying to cut across climate financiers, governmental agencies, and WASH stakeholders and bring all together to ensure that climate projects deliver their intended benefits and that poor integrity does not result in maladaptation.

much stronger accountability mechanisms7systems to be able to easily trace adaptation-related funds and what has been done with them

Climate extremes, biodiversity loss, desertification, and pollution threaten water systems. Weak source-to-sea integration, limited resilience planning, and inadequate disaster risk reduction hinder adaptation. Strengthening ecosystem-based approaches and cross-sector coordination is urgent

Implementing source-to-sea ecosystem monitoring, community-led watershed restoration, and climate-resilient water infrastructure. Using real-time data and cross-sector partnerships, we enhance biodiversity, reduce desertification risk, and strengthen resilience, advancing SDG 6

The view of ‘Land-Ocean Continuum’ and community watershed restoration initiatives, we will partner with local authorities, researchers, and others to implement real-time monitoring, ecosystem-based management, and climate-resilient interventions. These collaborative, cross-sector approaches aim to accelerate SDG 6 and strengthen resilience of vulnerable populations.

By 2030, governments, researchers, and communities must co-develop integrated source-to-sea resilience hubs, combining ecosystem restoration, real-time climate and water monitoring, and disaster risk reduction strategies, to protect biodiversity, secure water resources, and strengthen societal and economic resilience

Vanni Rehabilitation Organization for differently abled persons

Ecological conversion should be the global spirituality at this juncture. Otherwise everything will be perished.

Grow trees and tackle the tripple planatory crisis through multilateral actions: public transport, shower bath, no plastic, etc..

Fondazione Proclade Internazionale-onlus

We have inflicted great damage on our planet, yet we try to heal it with a small bandage, being content with minor actions instead of real conversion and commitment to restore creation.

Our organism's effort to engage in UN water conference and encouraging all the communities with constant instructions to be more ecological, is an effort indeed.

To hold major polluting industries and systems accountable to drastically reduce their emissions and waste, rather than placing the burden solely on small communities. True care for our planet demands justice, responsibility, and systemic change.

Invisible threats like PM2.5, microplastics, and untreated wastewater continue to harm ecosystems and communities. Lack of citizen water literacy, fragmented data, and failure to integrate ceremonial stewardship hinder resilience. Prioritize visibility, regeneration, and inclusive monitoring.

We activate citizen water literacy through the Visibility Protocol—training stewards to test and interpret water quality, track pollution, and restore ecosystems through ceremonial action. Sachet redemption, bulk powder access, and symbolic stewardship regenerate source-to-sea resilience.

The Visibility Protocol empowers citizen stewards to test water, track pollution, and restore ecosystems through ceremonial action. Water quality data is translated into everyday language for public comprehension. Led by Tarryn Johnston, it advances SDG 6 and source-to-sea resilience through symbolic and scientific collaboration.

By 2030, governments, funders, and educators must embed citizen water literacy into climate and biodiversity strategies. Training communities to test, interpret, and protect water—through scientific and ceremonial methods—builds resilience, regenerates ecosystems, and restores source-to-sea harmony.

Environmental Protection and Development Association

Many developing countries emit minimal greenhouse gases but face severe climate disasters, limited climate finance, and expanding land degradation (1M km²/yr), threatening water and agriculture. Meanwhile, the plastic industry hinders global treaty progress, worsening pollution and ecosystem health.

EPDA implements community-based flood response, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness, combined with awareness campaigns on water/biodiversity conservation, and resilience-building. We track impact via local monitoring, community reporting, and partnerships to advance SDG 6, 13, and 15.

The Cameroon Water Catchment Protection & Community Engagement Program restored 3,000+ ha of degraded watersheds and improved water access for 5,000+ households. EPDA led technical design and community mobilization with councils, water committees, NGOs, schools, and local authorities through participatory planning and joint monitoring.

A transformative action needed by 2030 is for national governments, local authorities, and civil society to implement integrated watershed management systems that link climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and disaster risk reduction. This approach ensures resilient water resources from source to sea and must be promoted at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

The main threat is the Disaster-Capacity Lag. Extreme climate events cause rapid ecosystem degradation, but we lack AI/data capacity for predictive risk management and fast, local resilience training. This leaves communities unprepared and infrastructure vulnerable to immediate failure.

"Climate-to-Capacity" Digital Module Deployment: Develop and deploy mobile-first, geo-fenced training modules that teach immediate, localized protocols for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) related to water (e.g., flood preparedness, water contamination post-disaster, drought mitigation).

Mandate that Governments and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) require verifiable, open-standard data competency as a deliverable in all financing frameworks for water, energy, and agriculture projects. This includes creating a Global Digital Water Accounting Protocol that is standardized and publicly auditable.

Since 2023, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires have worsened as the Earth’s “small water cycle” is broken. Water policies still focus on visible floods while ignoring soil moisture loss and the need for land and forest rehydration.

Korea’s Mul-Moi initiative restores soil moisture by creating small rain ponds that infiltrate water into the ground. These nature-based actions revive the small water cycle, reduce wildfires, and cool local climates through community participation.

Led by Seoul National University and Rain For All, Mul-Moi engages citizens, forestry agencies, and local governments. Monitoring data show improved soil moisture and temperature balance. Communities learn to “make the mountain moist again,” turning awareness into measurable resilience.

Designate UN Rain Day (3 September) as a global movement for planetary rehydration. Through education, citizen science, and local rainwater action, countries and UN-Water can restore the small water cycle and build long-term climate resilience.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Key challenges include poor climate adaptation, uncoordinated disaster risk plans, and inadequate funding for sustainable water management. In Yemen, water scarcity worsened due to conflict and climate change, highlighting the need for resilient water resources at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

In Yemen, IMC is implementing solar-powered water systems and rainwater harvesting to combat water scarcity, improve water access, and promote sustainable management, supporting SDG 6.

In Yemen, IMC collaborated with local governments, NGOs, and community leaders to implement solar-powered water systems. This initiative improved water access for around 50,000 people, significantly reducing dependence on unsustainable water sources. The project also enhanced the community's resilience by ensuring a sustainable, reliable water supply through collaborative efforts.

By 2030, all levels of government, private sector entities, and local communities need to collaborate and implement comprehensive water resource management systems that effectively address challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. These initiatives should be supported by sustainable financing and actively promoted.

Safe Transport and Survivors support Uganda (STASSU)

Climate change and environmental degradation heighten storm and flood risks, increasing drowning hazards. Poor early warning systems and limited community-based disaster preparedness leave lake and river populations vulnerable

We support reforestation along lake shores through local communities

Our tree plating initiatives will restore extinct trees and degraded lake ecosystems through reforestation

By 2030, governments must mainstream nature-based solutions—like wetland restoration and agroforestry—into national climate and water strategies. This transformative action, backed by inclusive financing and community-led implementation, will boost resilience, biodiversity, and SDG 6 progress from source to sea

A key challenge is the massive capacity gap to deliver resilient solutions to the triple planetary crisis on the ground. Without a skilled and diverse workforce, those cannot be implemented. Women are under-represented in water jobs due to barriers. This limits the overall sector performance.

Strengthening women as water professionals (gender/capacity) has positive impacts on human & planetary health, resilience, etc. Addressing barriers for women is a key solution. Advocacy, mentoring & networking can support further. The Stronger Together! Coalition addresses this

Connecting female water professionals contributes to a diverse and strong workforce to tackle these challenges. The Stronger Together!Coalition unites 8 women’s networks with over 15 000 members, including women working at climate/water/biodiversity nexus, and 6 partners to this aim. Jointly to address existing barriers, advocate, and provide peer-support, networking, and mentoring.

Recognizing the need for a well-trained and diverse workforce as the foundation of progress: Targeted investment in people and the deliberate dismantling of barriers especially for women to attract and retain a workforce that turns financial and political investment into resilience and sustainable water management. Empoyers, governments, funders to address these barriers.

Environmental & Public Health International

Disjointed local data and underinvestment in resilient water systems limit adaptation to climate impacts, biodiversity loss, and contamination risks, especially in marginalized communities most vulnerable to infrastructure failure.

The free LSLRCC advances climate-resilient water infrastructure by providing transparent, scalable cost modeling that supports adaptation planning, risk mitigation, and equitable resource allocation across the water-energy-climate nexus.

Featured on UNEP’s Sustainable Infrastructure Tool Navigator and EDF’s Lead Innovation Hub, the LSLRCC integrates climate adaptation into infrastructure finance planning. It enables policymakers and civic innovators to quantify resilience and equity outcomes in real time.

Governments and funding agencies must embed climate resilience metrics and open-access data tools like the LSLRCC into all water infrastructure plans. Standardizing transparent modeling will link adaptation, biodiversity, and equity goals under the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework.

drought/heatwaves & wildfire–flood cascades; groundwater decline/coastal salinization; biodiversity loss; urban flash floods; source-to-sea pollution

basin digital twins + IoT for drought/flash-flood EWS; NbS—wetland/river restoration, urban sponge measures; managed aquifer recharge to curb salinization; source-to-sea nutrient/plastic controls & reuse; wildfire–flood risk mapping

Key challenges include lack of investment in nature-based solutions, women-led resilience careers, and community-centered disaster planning. Climate-linked water stress demands integrated action from source to sea, with inclusive, locally grounded leadership.

We advance SDG 6 by integrating women-led resilience careers, nature-based solutions, and AI + Water frameworks. Through benchmarking, training, and PPP policy shifts, we link climate, biodiversity, and disaster risk reduction from source to sea."

WaterRising’s Water House initiative applies WEPs, UNESCO-WWAP, and Equal Aqua data to benchmark gender-responsive utilities. In Jordan, we partnered with UN Women and ministries to train women in water conservation. Our global MOUs with Jordan, British Water, and AquaFed membership accelerate SDG 6 through inclusive innovation."

By 2030, G20 governments and sovereign wealth funds must co-launch a Global Water Investment Accelerator through the WaterRising concept for Water House to unlock $7T in water infrastructure. Water House will convene public-private stakeholders to align climate, biodiversity, and resilience goals, and must be promoted at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Key challenges include the rising salinity and chemical pollution from desalination brine discharges, which threaten marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal livelihoods—undermining the human right to water and sanitation in vulnerable coastal communities.

Capture6’s brine-based DAC turns desalination brine into a resource—removing CO₂, recovering freshwater, and reducing marine discharge. This circular, water-positive approach supports SDG 6 and 13 by advancing clean water access and climate resilience in vulnerable regions.

Through projects with Palmdale Water District (USA) and K-Water (Korea), Capture6 demonstrates how brine-based CO₂ removal can recover freshwater, cut emissions, and reduce marine discharge. These public-private partnerships showcase scalable, water-positive climate solutions advancing SDG 6 & 13 collaboratively.

By 2030, governments and utilities must integrate carbon removal with water management, scaling solutions like Capture6’s brine-based DAC that turn waste brine into freshwater and CO₂ storage. This transformative link between climate and water action can protect marine ecosystems and secure water rights for all.

Climate-driven water extremes, biodiversity loss, desertification, and land degradation accelerate, yet policies fail to connect terrestrial, freshwater and marine systems. Pollution flows from land to sea remain poorly monitored, fragmenting global efforts for resilience and ecosystem restoration.

We run citizen-led source-to-sea monitoring and nature-based restoration projects generating ecological data. Through participatory science camps and hackathons, youth and communities assess pollution, restore habitats, and co-design local strategies for climate resilience and biodiversity recovery.

Through participatory operations such as BioBlitz and ecosystem monitoring programs, the NGO OSI builds multi-level partnerships linking research, education, and civil society to restore ecosystems from source to sea. These collaborations unite local NGOs, schools, and labs, generate policy-relevant data, connect territories, and strengthen youth engagement in biodiversity and climate resilience.

Governments and UN agencies should embed citizen-based source-to-sea monitoring within national adaptation plans. Recognizing communities as knowledge partners would create continuous data flows, early warning and large-scale coordination for resilience and biodiversity recovery, transforming governance toward planetary management through feedback loops that connect local insight to global action.

Alliance for Global Water Adaptation: the mission of AGWA is to provision tools, partnerships, guidance, and technical assistance to improve effective decision making, action, governance, and analytical processes in water resources management, focusing on emerging challenges and opportunities to water security.

The UN processes on Oceans should include a part on continental water flows and the UN Water Conferences should include action to contribute to SDG target 14.1 on Oceans.
Similarly, UN Conferences on Food, Energy, Cities as well as UN COPs on Climate, Biodiversity and Biodiversity should enhance the parts of their respective Agendas that are dedicated to freshwater challenges.

regulatory barrier/challenge in Water Convention regarding legal meaning of Restoration/rehabilitation/mitigation

Commitment for Water Restoration - https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/commitment-water-restoration

Commitment for Water Restoration - https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/commitment-water-restoration we are currently working on a model law for restoration with legal experts from all 5 continents whithin Society for Ecological Restoration

Agrrement by Parties of a common legal definition of restoration/rehabilitation/mitigation in the context of inland and coastal waters (UN WaterConvention) in order to create consistency in delivery of local, national, and global restoration programs

Recover as much rainwater as possible both in large artificial basins and by building many small reservoirs and river detention basins using naturalistic engineering. Monitoring rivers water with artificial intelligence systems to promptly identify alterations and pollutants.

First, it's necessary to collect as much water as possible in artificial basins, which must be maintained and cleared of sediment to optimize capacity. Monitoring with innovative river systems and floating barriers captures plastic and waste.

Our Foundation collaborates with important companies and also with UNESCO WWAP and UNEP/MAP to raise awareness of innovative systems such as floating river barriers, floating offshore wind farms, mobile marine desalination plants, intelligent metering systems, national legislative actions to adopt blue certificates.

Drinking water production is energy-intensive. Without massive investment in nuclear fusion research, we will never be able to meet the growing demand for energy and water resources, and pollution will only increase. Just as the World joined forces to combat Covid-19, all the Countries must join forces to avoid accelerating the collapse of ecosystems.

Climate change worsens water scarcity and quality, fueling food insecurity. Pollution harms health. Climate-WASH policies lack integration. Finance for water adaptation is insufficient. Poor water management and data gaps heighten vulnerability.

ACF integrates climate resilience in WASH via NEAT+, risk assessments, and early warning systems. We apply nature-based solutions and watershed management to enhance water security, climate adaptation, and food production.

ACF applies nature-based solutions like watershed restoration and agroforestry to boost climate resilience and water security. We build climate-proof WASH infrastructure (solar systems, raised wells) and integrate risk reduction, improving service continuity and reducing disaster impacts.

ACF prioritizes water in climate finance, scales WASH-nature-based solutions, links UN Water and Climate COPs, and develops early warning systems combining hydro-climatic and nutritional risks to enable anticipatory action and strengthen territorial water resilience.

Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA)

Too often, sanitation and pollution are not linked to the issues of ID3. The lack of awareness what safely managed sanitation can bring to the challenges of ID3 leads to missed opportunities and siloed approaches, ignoring the hidden costs unimproved sanitation has on people and planet.

Understanding the impact of pollution from human waste on global challenges, safely managed and circular sanitation can be a solution for biodiversity protection, GHG reduction, water reuse, and food production. We advocate for evidence-based innovation, we connect practitioners to decision-makers.

SuSanA unites over 15 000 members and 400 partners in a strong alliance for sanitation and a strong voice to position sanitation and re-use as a global opportunity for environmental sustainability and towards planetary challenges. Our advocacy and action are reshaping policies, investments, and public perception.

Recognizing the benefits of safely managed, climate resilient and equitable sanitation for a wide range of other sectors and issues: Sanitation is a powerful solution to increase climate resilience, safeguard biodiversity, prevent health crises, support food-and energy production, sustain tourism, fisheries, and coastal protection.

Kathak Academy,ECOSOC Status

Key challenges include worsening climate impacts on water sources, loss of ecosystem services, weak cross-sector coordination, inadequate financing for nature-based solutions, and limited community resilience to droughts and floods—demanding urgent global and local action.

Kathak Academy’s “Eco-Water Resilience Program” restores wetlands, promotes rainwater harvesting, and trains youth in climate-smart water management. Integrating biodiversity protection with community action, it strengthens ecosystem health and advances SDG 6 and climate resilience.

Kathak Academy’s “Green Water Alliance” unites local governments, NGOs, and youth networks to restore degraded watersheds and enhance biodiversity. Through community-led reforestation and water monitoring, 120 hectares were revived, improving water retention and resilience while advancing SDG 6 and SDG 13.

By 2030, governments, civil society, and private sectors must co-implement integrated nature-based solutions—linking watershed restoration, climate adaptation, and community resilience. Promoted at the 2026 UN Water Conference, this action can safeguard ecosystems, reduce disaster risks, and accelerate SDG 6 progress.

uniting water, climate, and nature to sustain life, resilience, and a balanced planet.

Unchecked deforestation, urbanisation, industrial and domestic pollution, and sand mining are accelerating. Rights of nature and bioregionalism as principles of governance need to be integrated to address the challenge of fragmentation of resource, policy and action.

Kubernein Initiative’s bioregional mapping of India’s water resources reframes water from a hydro-ecological, not state-boundary perspective linking climate, biodiversity, and governance. Highlighted cross-border CBFEWS examples of community-led early warning systems to reduce disaster risk.

The CBFEWS along the Nepal–India border links local observers, hydrological data, and WhatsApp alerts to reduce disaster losses. Jal Sahelis, Bundelkhund empowered rural women restore wells and manage water equitably, while Maharashtra's Swamini Group’s mangrove safaris blend women’s livelihoods with ecosystem restoration.

Governments must adopt bioregional water governance, integrating climate, biodiversity, and disaster frameworks across river basins irrespective of nation-state borders. Empowering local communities and women as custodians, equipped with Early Warning Systems and backed by Rights of Nature laws allowing nature to replenish and perform its ecological functions.

Ecosystem degradation, source-to-sea pollution, biodiversity loss and desertification; inadequate funding and insufficient scaling of nature-based solutions for watershed and coastal resilience

Prioritize nature-based solutions in planning; finance integrated source-to-sea programmes via GCF programmatic grants and blended instruments; scale transboundary watershed and coastal restoration with results-based financing

GCF-supported nature-based and watershed programmes, together with UN-Water coordination, demonstrate scalable models for ecosystem restoration. GCF prioritizes ecosystem resilience and balanced adaptation-mitigation investments to protect livelihoods and biodiversity. -

Adopt nature-positive national targets (NDCs/NBSAPs), mobilize blended finance for large-scale restoration, and operationalize transboundary ecosystem agreements supported by performance-linked finance to secure water and biodiversity co-benefits