Blue Ridge Impact Consulting

Insufficient financing for water infrastructure, limited access to innovative technologies, weak capacity in vulnerable regions, and fragmented investment coordination. Prioritizing sustainable funding, technology transfer, and capacity building should guide discussions.

We advance SDG6 by mobilizing blended finance for water projects, deploying innovative technologies like smart irrigation and water monitoring, building local capacity through training and knowledge-sharing. These actions strengthen efficiency, sustainability, and cross-sectoral water management.

The Sustainable Agriculture and Water Management Program uses ecosystem-based practices with farmers, combining smart irrigation, wetland restoration, and capacity-building. Collaboration with local farmers, NGOs, and technical experts improved water-use efficiency, soil health, and crop yields, advancing SDG 6 through innovative, multi-stakeholder approaches.

By 2030, governments, private sector, and international partners must scale innovative, technology-driven water solutions with robust financing and capacity-building programs. This will enhance efficiency, resilience, and equitable access, creating enabling conditions to accelerate SDG 6 and maximize water-related impacts globally.

Clean Climate and Environment Campaign Initiative

Accelerating Circular Economy Based Solutions: Led by UNU-CRIS, this initiative promotes Circular Economy-focused advances and innovations in water management to support SDG 6 implementation in Latin America. Partners include the Inter-American Development Bank, Postgraduate Unit of Chemical Engineering at Mayor de San Andres University, and Guadalajara University.

- Identifying and incubating new financial mechanisms: Developing innovative financing models that can mobilize private sector investments and philanthropic funding.
- Aligning existing mechanisms with real-world delivery: Ensuring that financial mechanisms are tailored to support water projects effectively.
- Showcasing policy success stories:

Human Photosynthesis(TM) Research Center

Raising the levels of dissolved oxygen in water around the world requires a high investment, but in the case of the QBLOCK®, as it does not require electricity, chemical agents, or the construction of special facilities, it means that it does not have significant operating expenses.

Funding the massive application of QBLOCK® in water bodies around the world, in order to raise dissolved oxygen levels, has more benefits than we think.

No method currently used anywhere in the world is capable of raising the levels of dissolved oxygen in water. Of the processes we could imagine in this regard, only QBLOCK® is effective, without wasting electricity, and with an average life of more than 25 years.

Restoring dissolved oxygen levels is essential to restore the balance of the environment. It is a common companion of dead zones in the oceans (Baltic Sea, Mississippi mouth, desalination plants, etc.), low levels of dissolved oxygen, as well as on beaches covered with Sargassum.

Groupement Agropastoral pour le développement de yongoro

renforcement des capacités dans les domaines de l’environnement de la biodiversité et de la gestion durable des ressources naturelles, de l’amélioration de la gestion des ressources en eau et des risques de catastrophe, de l’amélioration des systèmes d'alerte précoce

protection de l’environnement de la biodiversité et de la gestion durable des ressources naturelles, de l’amélioration de la gestion des ressources en eau et des risques de catastrophe, de l’amélioration des systèmes d'alerte précoce dans les 300 localités de la préfecture du Mbomou et. Haut-Mbomou

protection de l’environnement de la biodiversité et de la gestion durable des ressources naturelles, de l’amélioration de la gestion des ressources en eau et des risques de catastrophe, de l’amélioration des systèmes d'alerte précoce dans les 300 localités de la préfecture du Mbomou et. Haut-Mbomou

Fragmented funding, risk-averse financing models, and lack of support for digital public goods hinder innovation. Since 2023, rising debt burdens and limited capacity have slowed uptake of new tools for inclusive water governance and climate-resilient infrastructure.

We offer Smartsettle Infinity as a digital public good to build capacity for inclusive, cost-effective water negotiations. It supports SDG 6 by enabling optimized consensus on financing, technology deployment, and shared governance, especially in resource-constrained or conflict-affected contexts.

The Myanmar Marshall Plan Simulation uses Smartsettle Infinity to build capacity for inclusive, data-driven negotiation on water and related SDGs. Led by Smartsettle with CRRIC and GAC support, it engages diverse stakeholders to model innovative financing, governance, and investment planning tools.

Multilateral donors and national governments must invest in digital public goods like Smartsettle Infinity to democratize access to water negotiation tools. Embedding these innovations in capacity-building programs will unlock inclusive financing, accelerate SDG 6, and bridge governance gaps by 2030.

Limited investment in school education / education for sustainable development & global citizenship. Little attention in capacity building given to formal school education

Saving the World Water Towers campaign to deepen understanding of water challenges and responsibilities and through case studies advocate for integrating this approach into national education policies https://documents.un.org/symbol-explorer?s=A/80/255&i=A/80/255_1755718505119

Saving the World Water Towers campaign and through UN International Year of Glacier Preservation strengthened collaboration with international partners such as the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations to actively engage in capacity building framed by SDG 6

Strengthen investments in water / SDG 6 through education for sustainable development (SDG 4.7 / SDG 12.8 / SDG 13.3)

Kenya National Association of Water Resources Users'Association (KeNAWRUA)

Key challenges include chronic underfunding of community watershed management plans, inequitable financing, misplaced priorities, corruption, limited access to technology, and weak capacity building

KeNAWRUA advances Payment for Ecosystem Services, mobilizes community co-financing of watershed plans, applies citizen science and digital tools for monitoring, builds WRUA capacity, and uses community scorecards to ensure transparency, innovation, and accountability in accelerating SDG 6 delivery.

Through the Payment for Ecosystem Services Pilot, KeNAWRUA with with partners tested outcome-based financing, mobilizing communities for catchment restoration. Evidence includes government’s commitment to channel 10% of water use fees to conservation, creating a sustainable financing model and strengthening partnerships for SDG 6.

By 2030, governments and development partners must institutionalize outcome-based financing,

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Post-2023, persistent financing gaps, high perceived risk for water projects, and unequal access to innovation hinder progress. Limited blended finance, slow tech transfer, weak local capacity, and exclusion of vulnerable groups stall scaling of solutions critical for SDG6 and climate resilience.

"We mobilize blended finance with SMEs & donors, scale circular tech (Solar2Water, S2Cool, SAFECONOMY), and build capacity via gender-inclusive training. By linking pilots to investors & policy, we de-risk innovation, accelerate adoption, and advance SDG6 alongside SDG7 & SDG13.

EcoTechX–SAFECONOMY (FCDO-funded) links UK universities, Sapphire Textiles, WWF & SMEs to pilot molecular distortion wastewater reuse. Achieved >70% water recovery, reduced costs & pollution. Leadership combines academia–industry–NGO collaboration, with inclusive training & investor engagement, showcasing scalable financing & innovation for SDG6.

By 2030, multilateral banks, donors & governments must launch a Global Water Innovation & Investment Facility that blends public–private finance, de-risks SMEs, and funds circular water technologies with capacity-building. This will unlock scale, empower communities, and accelerate SDG6 delivery.

The Volunteer Team Foundation for Humanitarian Action

Limited financing, slow technology adoption, inadequate innovation, and weak capacity-building impede water infrastructure development, efficiency improvements, and progress toward SDG 6 globally.

Mobilize blended finance, promote water tech innovation, implement smart monitoring systems, strengthen local capacity, and foster public-private partnerships to accelerate SDG 6 achievement.

The “WaterTech Accelerator Program” unites governments, startups, and investors to scale digital water solutions and smart infrastructure. Pilots in three countries improved water efficiency by 25% and trained 1,000 professionals in advanced water management.

Governments, financial institutions, and the private sector must co-invest in innovative water technologies, scale capacity-building programs, and deploy digital solutions to transform water management and achieve sustainable financing for SDG 6.

Institute of Sustainability and Carbon Footprint LLC

Limited financing, insufficient technology transfer, low innovation adoption, and inadequate capacity building hinder water infrastructure development, efficiency improvements, and progress toward SDG 6 globally.

Mobilize blended finance, promote public-private partnerships, implement digital water solutions, transfer sustainable technologies, and conduct targeted training to enhance capacity and advance water security and SDG 6 outcomes

“Water Innovation Finance Facility” connected banks, tech startups, and local governments to fund water efficiency projects. Results include 50% increased access to smart irrigation and 30% energy savings in 200,000 hectares of farmland through collaborative investment.

Financial institutions, governments, and innovators must scale blended finance mechanisms, support technology transfer, and expand capacity-building programs to accelerate sustainable water management, efficiency, and access globally.

Shree Someshwar Education Trust

Persistent misallocation of capital towards large-scale centralized infrastructure, promoting DESALINATION, neglecting cost-effective, scalable decentralized nature-based solutions like Global Rainwater Management Program ( GRMP )that offer faster, more equitable community-level returns.

GRMP's AI-optimized decentralized systems assure 10-15% ROI via increased agricultural yield and reduced water costs, de-risking investments and attracting private capital for scalable SDG 6 impact.

Multilateral development banks and governments must create dedicated blended finance facilities for decentralized water solutions, using proven ROI data from models like GRMP to de-risk and attract large-scale private capital for SDG 6.
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Cost of per liter water Reductions by 70% for industries shownnas above document link.

No indepth knowledge on likely opportunities that investment in water can bring to the economy of the country.
There are lots of water resources that could be unleash through investment.
Illegal access to sea by unauthorized people which cause great damage to water and it resources.

If government can invest in water conservation to tackle climate change and also to enhance dry season farming. That alone will go a very long way for the nation.

Tariff and taxes not always sustainable
Module of finance that consider all the cost in water management need to be employed
Strick monitoring and evaluation with integrity need to be in place

We offer training on water treatment. Water analysis, waste water quality monitoring and environment education (integrated water resource management for climate adaptation)

Cameroon has establish partnership with many organisations setting vision that is not respected or implemented as such. The African ministry council has had some policy recommendations yet implementation is still soft law

Transparent finance mechanisms, capacity building of actors and more . But I will say contextually that we need to start with a small area or town that will serve as a reference for development and sustainability

Ogoni youth alliance for climate change and sustainable development

These include inadequate funding and investment gaps, limited access to affordable technology and innovation, insufficient capacity building in developing regions, and weak coordination among stakeholders, which hinder progress and must be prioritized for discussion at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Our organization promotes blended finance models, fosters public-private partnerships, enhances capacity building through training programs, and advocates for innovative technologies. We develop monitoring tools to track progress and ensure inclusive, sustainable water solutions aligned with SDG 6

The Water for All initiative exemplifies innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships involving governments, NGOs, and private sector. It has improved access to clean water for over 10 million people through integrated financing, technology transfer, and capacity building. Strong leadership and collaborative efforts have accelerated progress toward SDG 6.

By 2026, governments, financial institutions, and the private sector must collaborate to establish innovative funding mechanisms that unlock substantial investments in water infrastructure, technology, and capacity building. This transformative action will create enabling conditions, accelerate progress toward SDG 6, and ensure equitable access to water for all by 2030.

International Helping For The Young

Key challenges include insufficient climate-resilient water investments, limited access to innovative financing for marginalized communities, gaps in technology transfer, fragmented capacity-building efforts, and weak public-private collaboration—issues intensified since the 2023 UN Water Conferen

We mobilize blended finance models combining public, private, and philanthropic funds, promote scalable water tech innovations, and deliver targeted capacity-building programs. Our Water Finance Hub supports transparent investment tracking to accelerate SDG 6 and related goals.

The Water Finance Coalition, led by SIWI and partners like the World Bank and UNDP, drives innovative blended finance for water projects. It has unlocked $1.2B in investments across Africa and Asia, fostering multi-sector collaboration, improving project bankability, and enhancing capacity building for sustainable water infrastructure aligned with SDG 6.

By 2030, governments and development banks must establish a Global Water Investment Facility to de-risk and scale financing for climate-resilient water solutions. Anchored in public-private partnerships, this facility should prioritize innovation, local capacity, and equity to accelerate SDG 6 progress and must be championed at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Barokupot Ganochetona Foundation -BGF

“Key challenges include limited financing for water infrastructure, unequal access to technology, insufficient capacity building, fragmented investment strategies, and low private sector engagement—priorities for discussion at the 2026 UN Water Conference.”

“We mobilize blended financing for water projects, deploy innovative water-saving technologies, build local capacity through training and knowledge sharing, foster public-private partnerships, and implement data-driven monitoring to accelerate SDG 6 and related water and sanitation outcomes.”

“Through the ‘Water Innovation Fund’ initiative, we partnered with local governments, tech firms, and community groups to implement smart irrigation and water-saving solutions. This improved water efficiency for 3,000+ households, built local technical capacity, and accelerated SDG 6 outcomes through multi-stakeholder collaboration.”

“Governments, private sector, and development partners must scale innovative financing mechanisms, deploy advanced water-saving technologies, and strengthen local capacity through training and knowledge sharing to ensure sustainable, equitable water management and accelerate SDG 6 by 2030.”

Initiated Transboundary early warning system for flood risk between Nepal and India for those who are exposed to Karnali river.

Transboundary early warning system in case of flood ( too much water)

Functional data sharing, and upscaling of community centric transboundary early warning to wider level.

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

High-tech water solutions remain cost-prohibitive for developing regions. Limited blended financing mechanisms for water infrastructure. Skills gap in operating smart water systems. Post-2023: AI/IoT integration barriers, climate financing delays, inadequate technology transfer.

Low-cost IoT water meters with open-source technology. Community-based financing models. Technical training programs for local operators. Public-private partnerships for smart infrastructure. Real-time data platforms connecting multiple SDGs through integrated water-climate monitoring.

UABCS-Ayuntamiento La Paz Smart Water Alliance: Community-financed IoT meters + technical capacity building. Results: 45% cost reduction through local manufacturing. Partners: UABCS Tech Center, municipal government, water cooperatives. Innovation: Blended micro-financing model.

Provide subsidized smart water technology packages with integrated capacity building for developing nations. Actor: Multilateral development banks at UN Water Conference 2026. Impact: Democratized water innovation access.

Simon Fraser University, Pacific Water Research Centre

Key Challenges: 1. International aid focused solely on large-scale projects; 2. Global investment regimes paying insufficient attention to the water challenges and knowlege/technology gaps; 3. Ineffective capacity building that does not address three pillars: human, institutional, technological.

Solutions: Capacity development through South-South exchange of ideas.

National governments must involve the private sector more strongly in dealing with water-related development challenges, particularly for achieving SDG 6 and other water-related targets.

Key challenges include fragmented financing mechanisms, limited uptake of digital innovations, weak capacity in vulnerable communities, and slow scaling of blended finance. Since 2023, inflation, debt crises, and climate shocks have further constrained investment in water solutions.

BlueToken creates blended-value finance by rewarding conservation with digital tokens, secures marine data via blockchain, and builds local capacity for water-smart fisheries. This cross-cutting model links financing, innovation & training to accelerate SDG 6, 12, 13 & 14.

BlueToken Trace & Restore pilots in Greece demonstrate how tokenized rewards and blockchain-secured data unite fishers, NGOs, scientists & regulators. Results show improved seafood traceability, reliable marine monitoring, and stronger community capacity. This innovative financing-technology approach proves scalable pathways to accelerate SDG 6, 12, 13 & 14.

Multilateral banks, governments & private investors must mainstream blended finance for water, channeling capital into digital innovation and local capacity-building. Scaling incentive-based platforms like BlueToken will unlock sustainable funding, foster technology adoption, and accelerate SDG 6 delivery.

CSIR - Water Research Institute

The main challenges here are the same challenges affecting scientific investment in deprived countries, namely, poverty and low standard of living.

My organization has worked with civil society, humanitarian and non-governmental organizations who have provided basic amenities for water and sanitation in deprived areas. This has ranged from providing testing services on boreholes and other water facilities provided by these organizations.

In partnership with organizations such as Emory University and TREND Ghana, Research projects such as the SaniPath study tool developed through studies on assessment of contamination pathways in low middle income settlements have helped informed policy and address sanitation issues in communities in Ghana

The majority of the population, especially the high and middle-class in most countries need to embrace the importance of investment for better technology, safety and innovation in water and sanitation. This is important in raising the standard of the lower class and overall improvement in water safety worldwide.

Appel au Cri de l'Enfant Africain

Democratic Republic of the Congo

ces défis tournèrent au tour défis massif d'infrastructures, financement insuffisant et mal ciblé, faiblesse de la gouvernance et des institutions, insécurité et instabilité politique et manque de visibilité du secteur dans les politiques nationales

voici certaines: gouvernance intégrée et coopération multisectorielle, finacement innovant et durable, technologies adoptées et accessible et renforcement des capacités et transfert de savoirs sans oublié approche basée sur les droits et résilience

certaines approches soit en financement: facilité africaine de l'eau, mettre en place un partenariat public-privé, en terme technologique on a un traitement décentralisé de l'eau et la gouvernance et planification intégrée

La mesure transformatrice serait d'adopter une approche politique universelle intégrée

Key challenges: chronic underinvestment in WASH, limited financing for fragile/conflict zones, slow adoption of innovative technologies, weak capacity in local institutions, and inadequate mechanisms to blend public, private & climate finance since the 2023 UN Water Conference.

Promote blended finance for WASH in fragile settings, scale solar-powered desalination & smart monitoring, and build local capacity through training & digital platforms—cross-cutting solutions to advance SDG6 and link innovation with sustainable investment.

The Global Innovation Fund for Water Security links UN agencies, governments & private sector to pilot solar desalination and digital monitoring in water-scarce regions. It has expanded safe water access for >500k people, mobilized blended finance, and built local capacity—showing how innovation accelerates SDG6.

By 2030, UN agencies, donors & MDBs must create a dedicated financing window for WASH in conflict and refugee settings, scaling solar desalination, mobile sanitation & local capacity building. This transformative action ensures water rights, resilience, and SDG6 progress for the most vulnerable.

South Asia Young Women in Water (SAYWiW)

Insufficient, uneven capacity building limits the ability of local actors to absorb finance, adopt technologies, and innovate. Post-2023, gaps in training, institutional support, and inclusive skill development especially for youth and women remain major barriers needing urgent focus.

We are committed to building capacity of young women water leaders across South Asia through training, mentorship, and cross-border knowledge exchange, equipping them to access finance, adopt technology, and co-create innovations that advance SDG 6 and strengthen inclusive water governance.

Through our initiatives, we are committed to partner with multilateral agencies and local organizations to facilitate peer learning and transboundary knowledge exchange leveraging shared regional languages and contexts. This approach shall strengthen skills, has proved to expand access to innovation and finance, and advance SDG 6 implementation.

By 2030, governments, financial institutions, and development partners must invest in scalable, gender- and youth-inclusive capacity-building programs that equip local actors with skills to access finance, adopt innovative technologies, and co-create solutions—unlocking transformative progress toward SDG 6.

Through the ‘Water Investment Accelerator,’ governments, private investors, and NGOs co-financed climate-resilient water projects, deploying smart metering and low-cost treatment tech. Serving 500k people, it improved water access by 30%, enhanced efficiency, and fostered public-private collaboration for SDG 6.

By 2030, governments, multilateral banks, and private investors must establish coordinated, climate-resilient water investment funds that scale innovative technologies and capacity building. This transformative action will unlock financing, enhance efficiency, and accelerate SDG 6 achievement globally.

Key challenges include limited financing for water infrastructure, high risk deterring private investors, weak capacity in local institutions, and unequal access to new technologies. Since 2023, economic shocks and climate pressures have further strained innovation and investment flows.

We advance SDG 6 by piloting solar-powered irrigation, applying geodata and AI for water-use monitoring, and building farmer capacity. Through blended finance and public–private partnerships, we scale innovations that improve efficiency, strengthen resilience, and support inclusive growth.

The Digital Water Access Pilot with Ghana COCOBOD, SMEs, and local universities combined geodata, AI, and solar pumping to expand irrigation. Results: 25% increase in yields, reduced water stress, and farmer training. Leadership was shared across public, private, and community actors, proving the value of blended innovation for SDG 6.

By 2030, governments, development banks, and private investors must scale blended finance platforms that de-risk investment in water technologies while funding local capacity building. This transformative action will unlock innovation, expand access, and accelerate SDG 6 and related goals.

A key challenge is the widening implementation gap between global commitments (UN 2023) and local realities, particularly for youth. The digital divide in accessing water management tools and climate data exacerbates inequities for the most vulnerable communities.

Our organization is launching a 'Water Cafe' initiative, using our AI-enhanced dialogue model ('AI Carson') to build local water literacy. This is paired with vocational training for youth in SIDS on water-resilient skills and targeted policy advocacy to bridge local needs with global goals.

UNESCO Groundwater Youth Network. As Chair, I led a partnership between youth, UNESCO experts, and policymakers, I organized UN side events and drafted 30 declarations. Result: Successfully integrated youth priorities into the UN Water Conference's official outcomes. This established a new, effective model for formal youth leadership and intergenerational collaboration in global water governance.

Transformative Action: Major climate and development funds (e.g., GCF, GEF) must establish a dedicated, ring-fenced funding window for youth-led water and sanitation projects. By Whom: The fund secretariats, guided by youth constituencies. This action must include simplified applications and youth governance to empower local, innovative solutions at the scale needed to meet SDG 6.

Key hurdles: weak municipal credit, foreign exchange risk, and small, fragmented deals; scarce results-based finance; limited operations and maintenance capacity; and poor data to verify outcomes. These deter investment and scaling—despite growing faith-based and corporate donor interest.

Blessman International equips new water projects with SIM-enabled smart meters, tracking production in real time. This technology improves transparency, ensures sustained service delivery, and provides live feedback to donors—building trust and advancing SDG 6.

Through cross-sector partnerships with U.S. corporations, family trusts, churches, and individual donors, Blessman International has funded 92 water projects and 350 Enviro Loo toilets in South Africa. This model of blended philanthropy and faith-based support demonstrates scalable collaboration to advance SDG 6.

By 2030, transformative progress requires shifting from reliance on public budgets to blended finance models where private investors, NGOs, and faith-based partners drive delivery. Governments and Development Finance Institutions should de-risk capital flows and build local capacity, enabling sustainable WASH services at scale.

Persistent funding gap and slow uptake of innovative solutions.

Blended finance, outcome-based funding, and capacity-building for water entrepreneurs.

Water Access Impact Tool (Economist Impact and Grundfos Foundation): Mobilizing capital, supporting early-stage solutions, and scaling impact.

Mobilize global blended finance platforms, with leadership from finance institutions and innovators.

Key challenges: Limited public and philanthropic funds and difficulties in engaging private funding sources, including corporates and family offices. The climate-driven finance gap is widening rapidly, and there is a lack of investment vehicles to channel private and corporate capital into water.

Aqua for All has used grants for de-risking and TA to mobilise private capital and develop tailored blended finance solutions. These support investors, fund managers and local financial institutions to increase their water investments while integrating impact measurement, ESG, gender and climate.

W2AF, the first private equity water investment fund managed by Incofin IM, accelerates access to safe drinking water in Asia & Africa, blending public, private & philanthropic capital. With Aqua for All’s catalytic first-loss, TA grants & committee role, €61.2M was raised (final close). The first two investments in Rite Water (India) & SPOUTS (Uganda) delivered 4.3B litres to 8.5M people in 2024.

Private capital must be mobilised through blended finance & tailored investment vehicles. Additional grants for foundations to support de-risking & technical assistance are needed. Water investments (in commercial solutions) with strong governance, ESG & impact frameworks are crucial for credibility, replication & resilience, while governments must address regulatory barriers to scale solutions.

Key challenges include insufficient financing for WASH and resilient water infrastructure, limited access to climate-smart technologies, weak local capacity, inequitable investment distribution and lack of youth and community inclusion.

Resilient40 mobilizes youth-led climate and water hubs, promotes digital monitoring for investment impact, fosters public-private partnerships for WASH innovations, supports capacity building in local communities and advocates for equitable, climate-resilient financing to advance SDG 6.

Resilient40’s Climate Cafés and Hubs engage youth, NGOs and local governments to pilot WASH innovations and track financing impact. Led by Resilient40, they have reached 800,000+ participants, strengthened local capacities, fostered public-private partnerships, and informed scalable SDG 6 investment strategies.

A transformative action is for governments, private investors to establish inclusive, climate-resilient Water Investment Funds, combining technology, innovation and capacity building to scale equitable WASH solutions, unlock sustainable financing and accelerate SDG 6 achievement by 2030.

Fundación Mexicana René Mey associate civil

Since 2023, key challenges include limited private investment, slow tech adoption, weak climate-resilient funding, and inadequate capacity-building in vulnerable regions. Rising debt, geopolitical instability, and fragmented governance further hinder progress and must be prioritized in 2026.

We drive SDG 6 by leveraging blended finance, deploying digital monitoring tools, and fostering partnerships that scale innovative water solutions while building local capacity for sustainable impact.”

The Dutch-led Valuing Water Initiative promotes multi-stakeholder partnerships to integrate water values into decision-making. In Kenya, it improved water governance for agriculture, involving government, businesses, and communities. It shows strong leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and measurable impact on SDG 6.

By 2030, governments and development banks must establish a global water investment facility to de-risk and scale financing for climate-resilient water infrastructure. This transformative action would unlock private capital, foster innovation, and strengthen local capacity—accelerating SDG 6 progress.

Water investment is constrained by financing gaps, limited access to technology, and weak institutional capacity. Financial constraints and unequal climate finance flows restrict adaptation, resilience, and equitable access to sustainable solutions.

AWC promotes project-based, practical cooperation, leverages digital innovations such as AI and smart technologies, and ensures inclusive governance. By connecting regional experiences to global processes, we foster equitable and action-oriented investment models for SDG 6.

Initiative: AWC–UN Cooperation. In collaboration with UNEP, UNFCCC, UNESCO, and ECOSOC, AWC has advanced joint research, policy dialogues, and water–climate projects. Results include innovative finance proposals, stronger partnerships, and institutionalized participation of youth and communities.

By 2030, governments, MDBs, and UN agencies should create integrated platforms that combine public, private, and climate finance while embedding digital innovation and inclusive governance. AWC’s partnerships and AIWW 2027 can help translate commitments into measurable outcomes.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

A disconnect between cost, price and value of water that is hindering the mobilisation of investment and preventing the water sector to progress to financial sustainability

Valuing water based on who is using it, when, where and for what purpose. Distinguishing between the marginal value different users get from water, and how that should be reflected in cost and price. Quantifying value through shadow water pricing, applying a hedonic model informed by AI.

Partnerships with multiple stakeholders including CDP, University of Oxford, Africa Water Investment Partnership, Global Water Partnership, Asian Development Bank, Government of the Republic of Zambia, others. Evidence of results available, but the specific information is currently partner-confidential.

UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Water investment challenges are the escalating climate impacts, energy costs for treatment, and limited domestic financing exacerbate existing gaps in local tech adoption and skilled human capacity. By prioritizing innovative financing, building resilient infrastructure to support capacities

we should use blended finance to support community-led water technology innovations and capacity building which should be driven by Urban Development Strategies. This integrates SDG 6 with education & local economies, using participatory monitoring to track progress and scale pragmatic solutions.

Stakeholders and engineers should champion this cause by helping to build capacities of personals in water and sanitation and provide appropriate technology to support their work whiles the government establish a "National Water-Technology and Innovation Fund" to support investment and financing of innovation and technology in water resource management, that will reduce external reliance.

Government of Ghana shoud establish a "National Water-Technology and Innovation Fund" to support investment and financing of innovation and technology in the water and sanitation sector. This links sustainable internal financing to local technical capacity, fostering scalable, appropriate technology diffusion and overcoming reliance on external aid by 2030.

Indonesian Water Association

Sparse bankable pipelines; high perceived risk and weak utility credit; fragmented tariffs/no cost recovery; limited O&M capacity; unclear taxonomies/regulations; MRV/data gaps; small-ticket projects with high transaction costs; slow adoption of proven technologies.

IdWA builds bankable pipelines: standardized project templates & water-accounting data; Water Engineer certification; utility–industry pilots (reuse/NRW) with KPIs; PPP/blended-finance clinics with donors; outcome-based MRV dashboards to track SDG-6.

IdWA with DSDAN, utilities, industry, universities, and Daegu/K-Water: co-training (Water Engineer), utility twinning, and pilots on reuse/NRW/MAR with shared SOPs/toolkits. Evidence: repeat cohorts, adopted SOPs, MoUs enabling replication, and documented member cases showing service gains and cost/NRW reductions.

Launch a National Water Investment Platform (by 2026), co-led by Government/DSDAN with IdWA: project-prep facility, de-risking (guarantees/VGF), ring-fenced O&M, green-taxonomy alignment, outcome-based contracts, open MRV dashboards, and portfolios for industrial reuse, NRW reduction and blue-green infrastructure.

Progress is hindered by insufficient financing, unequal access to technology, and limited capacity building. Since 2023, climate shocks, rising debt burdens, and gaps in inclusive investment frameworks have further slowed innovation and equitable progress on SDG 6.

Paxaterra Global advances SDG 6 by embedding water and climate priorities into Lead with Soul leadership training, equipping leaders to align financing with values, champion inclusive innovation, and build local capacity for sustainable, community-driven water solutions.

Through the Lead with Soul Investment Dialogues, Paxaterra Global engages civic groups, educators, and private partners to align financing with values-driven leadership. Pilots highlight innovative collaborations that strengthened local capacity, advanced inclusive water initiatives, and inspired shared accountability for SDG 6 progress.

By 2030, governments, development banks, and the private sector must scale blended finance models that prioritize equity and innovation. Pairing investment with capacity building and values-driven leadership will unlock inclusive technologies, empower communities, and accelerate SDG 6 implementation globally.

Centre International pour la Recherche Multidisciplinaire Appliquée (CIRMA)

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The current financing pathways for water, energy and land resources in developing countries are unsustainable due to the public financing gaps and enormous future investment needs. The lack of adequate analytical tools and data does not allow sustainable operations and maintenance efficiency.

Our organization has been disseminating recent knowledge on financing water, sanitation and energy businesses, based on the blending of 3Ts and private funding sources as well as other demand-based business models and contractual arrangements for allocating risks, in Africa.

We have documented the enhanced value of creditworthiness in Kenyan public water utilities through development fund facilities, borrowing, innovative marketing and enlightened leadership in the case of MUWASCO, NYEWASCO and EWASCO. The partnership between Grundfos Lifelink and Safaricom is also notable (See Luwesi and Beyene (2023) Innovative water finance in Africa, by Palgrave Macmillan)

New business models are needed to channel finance to businesses evolving in poor communities. The delivery of funds through credit shall take account the nature of cash flows, the compulsory repayment period versus savings, and the use of social collateral for group lending or joint liability of members for loans borrowed by other group members

Insufficient financing for water infrastructure, slow adoption of innovative technologies, limited capacity-building, and weak public-private collaboration. Since 2023, rising climate risks and growing urban demand have further strained resources, requiring urgent solutions at the 2026 UN WC.

WEC mobilizes blended finance for water projects, promotes low-cost water technologies, and conducts capacity-building workshops for communities and youth. Digital monitoring tools track impact, ensuring efficient investment and advancing SDG 6 and related goals.

WEC’s ‘Smart Water Finance Initiative’ partners with local governments, NGOs, and tech startups to deploy affordable water purification and irrigation solutions. Early results include improved water access for 80,000+ people. Youth and community leaders drive adoption, while digital monitoring ensures transparency and SDG 6 progress.

By 2030, governments, private sector, and international financiers must establish scalable, climate-resilient water investment platforms, integrating innovative technologies and capacity-building programs. This will unlock sustainable financing, accelerate SDG 6 implementation, and maximize impact—key for the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Depuis 2023, les défis incluent le manque de financements pérennes pour les infrastructures hydriques, l’accès limité aux technologies adaptées aux contextes locaux, la faible mobilisation du secteur privé et l’insuffisance de capacités techniques dans les zones vulnérables.

développement des partenariats public-privé pour l’accès à des technologies hydriques adaptées, forme des jeunes en maintenance locale, et intègre des outils numériques pour le suivi communautaire des infrastructures, renforçant ainsi capacités et redevabilité ODD 6.

L’approche « Water Innovation Hubs » (GWP–UNICEF) réunit startups, collectivités et bailleurs pour co-développer des solutions locales. Résultats : 45 technologies adaptées déployées, 300 agents formés, leadership partagé entre ONG et autorités locales, avec financement mixte et mentorat technique.

D’ici 2030, instaurer un Fonds mondial d’innovation hydrique, piloté par ONU-Eau et cofinancé par États, secteur privé et banques régionales, pour soutenir les technologies locales, former les jeunes, et renforcer les capacités communautaires. Objectif : accélérer l’ODD 6 dans les zones à risque.

JAHAZI EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

Key challenges include inadequate financing for water projects, limited access to innovative technologies, weak institutional capacity, fragmented investment frameworks, and insufficient private sector engagement to scale sustainable water solutions.

We mobilize community financing, adopt low-cost solar water technologies, and build local capacity through training and partnerships. We engage governments and donors to co-invest in scalable, climate-resilient water solutions while tracking SDG 6 progress through participatory monitoring.

Mt. Kulal Water Innovation Partnership – A collaboration with county government, NGOs, youth groups, Women groups and donors to scale solar-powered water systems and community financing models. It has improved water access for 4,000+ people, strengthened local capacity, and attracted co-investment for sustainable expansion.

Governments, development banks, and private sector actors must scale blended financing and invest in climate-smart technologies while building local capacity. This transformative action will unlock sustainable funding, drive innovation, and accelerate progress toward SDG 6 by 2030.

Limited financing, lack of technology transfer, weak capacity building, and insufficient collaboration with vulnerable communities and local stakeholders.

Barwaqa Relief Organization strengthens local capacity, deploys innovative water solutions, partners with governments and NGOs, and promotes sustainable financing to expand access, improve efficiency, and advance SDG 6 and related SDGs.

Barwaqa Relief Organization partners with water unity network, governments and NGOs to implement innovative water solutions and capacity-building programs. Through collaborative projects, we have expanded access to clean water, improved efficiency, and strengthened local water governance, advancing SDG 6.

By 2030, governments and development partners should establish sustainable financing and technology platforms, strengthen local capacities, and prioritize indigenous and marginalized communities to accelerate equitable water access, efficiency, and progress toward SDG 6.

Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)

Private financing for improving adaptation in water sector through investments in climate resilient infrastructure, O&M, and capacity building is a big concern.

We have contributed to financing and data chapters of the 'Global Commission on the Economics of Water' report that provides innovative financing model and data architecture that will help realise the value of water and make its management sustainable.

As mentioned before, it was our contribution to the 'Global Commission on the Economics of Water' report which followed a multi-stakeholder consultative process.

Innovative financing models such blended finance, HAM, debt-for-water swap etc. needs to be explored to drive private sector investments for creating water infrastructure to meet 2030 SDG6 targets.

Ongoing challenge but still poorly addressed and increasing in reach and impact: Corruption and malfeasance. The water and sanitation sector needs a practical global programme to address corruption, malfeasance and to build integrity in the water and sanitation sectors.

Publication of Water Integrity Global Outlook on Integrity on Finance in Water and Sanitation : https://www.waterintegritynetwork.net/water-integrity-global-outlook-finance, which sets out key actions for all actors in the sector to improve integrity in finances and investments

In India, local residents assess the implementation of water projects, ensuring that funds are utilized appropriately and that the services meet intended standards. The National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) guidelines mandate social audits every 6 months, conducted by community organizations e.g Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees.

The water and sanitation sector needs a practical global programme to address corruption, malfeasance and to build integrity in the water and sanitation sectors, with strong southern leadership. If this comes out of the conference this would be a major win

The most impotant think it is technology without it we can do anythink for creating drones for example

Key challenges include insufficient financing for water infrastructure, limited access to innovative technologies, weak capacity-building programs, high project costs in vulnerable regions, and gaps in public-private partnerships that slow sustainable water solutions and SDG 6 progress.

Waterlight Save Initiative mobilizes blended financing, deploys solar-powered water technologies, provides community training, and partners with governments and UN agencies to build local capacity, scale innovations, and accelerate progress on SDG 6 and related development goals.

Our Solar-Powered Water Innovation Program partners with USAID, UN agencies, and local governments to deploy renewable water technologies and train communities. It has provided clean water to 10M+ children in Nigeria and 100M+ children across Africa, enhanced local capacity, and accelerated SDG 6 implementation through collaborative, tech-driven solutions.

A transformative action is for governments, international financiers, and the private sector to scale investment in innovative, climate-resilient water technologies and capacity-building programs, ensuring equitable access, sustainable management, and accelerated SDG 6 progress by 2030.

Key challenges include limited financing for community-driven solutions, lack of scalable and affordable innovations, and weak capacity-building in vulnerable regions. Post-2023, climate shocks and economic downturns further strain resources, widening inequality in water investments.

We are accelerating the mobilization of blended finance (public/private/philanthropic) for high-impact projects, scaling up digital-twin technology for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) in river basins, and building local capacity through regional Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Academies.

The Water Action Agenda, launched at the UN 2023 Water Conference, is a successful working method. Its a multi-stakeholder platform gathering 830+ voluntary commitments, plus $77.2 billion in finance pledged by governments and partners (e.g. India's $50 billion rural water investment). WAA shifts focus to accelerated, action-oriented partnerships guided by the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework.

The key transformative action is for National Governments to establish creditworthy Water Utilities, supported by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). The MDBs must launch a Global Water Finance De-risking Facility to use concessional finance to unlock private investment and close the $700B annual gap by 2030.

malu global water for all the people

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

In the GBA financing for reuse and rural supply remains uneven, private investment is deterred by unclear tariffs and funding is fragmented across Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong. Rising infrastructure costs have exposed gaps in technical capacity, innovation uptake and cross-border coordination.

We develop legal solutions for joint financing in the GBA, support research on PPP frameworks, and work with NGOs and planners on regulatory frameworks for capacity building for reuse, data sharing and technology uptake to advance SDG 6 and climate-resilient investment.

The Hong Kong’s RGC research study on GBA water security, it links scholars and planners across Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong to analyse tariffs, PPP options and eco-compensation. By engaging NGOs and local officials, it builds legal and institutional models that support SDG 6 financing and innovation in reuse and basin management.

A transformative step is for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to establish a joint water financing mechanism that supports reuse, digital monitoring and rural supply. Backed by PPP incentives, tariff reform and technology transfer, it would align public and private investment and should be promoted at the 2026 UN Water Conference.

collaborative community empowerment

Key challenges include underfunding of water infrastructure, limited access to climate finance, slow adoption of innovative technologies, weak local capacity, and inequitable investment flows. Since 2023, rising debt burdens and economic shocks have further constrained financing for SDG 6 progress.

We mobilize blended finance for water projects, deploy solar-powered and digital water technologies, and build local capacity through training and community-led governance. These cross-cutting actions strengthen resilience, ensure equity, and advance SDG 6 alongside broader 2030 Agenda goals.

The Global Water Finance Partnership mobilizes governments, development banks, and private sector actors to expand investment in water infrastructure. Through blended finance, it has unlocked billions for safe water and sanitation, supported innovation (solar pumping, reuse systems), and strengthened local capacity, accelerating SDG 6 delivery.

By 2030, development banks and governments must establish a Global Water Investment Facility to channel blended finance into climate-smart water infrastructure, digital innovation, and local capacity building. Promoted at the 2026 UN Water Conference, it would unlock equitable funding and accelerate SDG 6 progress.

Insufficient financing for basin resilience, fragmented investments, and limited access of youth and local actors to funds. Innovation remains underfunded, while climate extremes increase pressure on infrastructure and ecosystems.

AdE mobilizes blended finance with academic and basin partners, leverages STRATEAU for cost-efficient data, and trains UMJAE youth coordinators to scale low-cost NbS, ensuring inclusive investments aligned with SDG6 and climate goals.

The AdE–Cerema STRATEAU partnership demonstrates cost-effective basin monitoring. Tripartite agreements with ABH Sebou, USEK, and Jordan partners show how digital tools + youth training reduce costs, optimize investments, and attract donor support. Results shared with UfM and UNECE.

By 2030, create a Mediterranean–MENA Water Investment Facility linking basin agencies, universities, youth networks and donors. It will fund NbS, digital tools, and training, channeling investments towards resilience, equity, and SDG6 delivery.

We need far more transparency answering if, at the nexus of water-, climate- and biodiversity financing, a focus on private finance is tamping down dialogue about the much broader system change we need-- taxation of corporations and the rich; debt forgiveness; and other related structural change.

Cultivating hard discussions in corporate-led water policy spaces about the need to uphold profound reform of the financial system. This, especially given how quickly the insurance industry is actually promoting the same conversation.

Discussions such as the recent Oil Change International brief, We Can Pay for It, are, if indirectly, helping promote the kind of dialogue needed in water policy spaces, by revealing where tremendous funding lies to save the planet.

Cultivating dissent, facing extreme scenarios, and proposing systemic financial alternatives (UN Convention on Tax, UN Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt) in key water decision-making spaces (UN Global Compact, CEO Water Mandate, Baku Dialogue, etc.). It is very difficult for average stakeholders to show up in these spaces and question core assumptions about corporate-led water policy.

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

A critical challenge is the high-risk perception of innovative water projects like Managed Aquifer Recharge, which deters private investment. Post-2023, prioritizing de-risking mechanisms and blended finance models is essential to unlock capital for scalable, nature-based solutions

We develop and transfer a standardized FEFLOW-MCA-GIS framework to model aquifer behavior for Managed Aquifer Recharge. Our proven blueprints de-risk investment, unlocking finance for climate-resilient water security (SDGs 6 & 13).

A "FEFLOW-MCA-GIS-IoT" framework for MAR integrates real-time piezometric and water quality monitoring. This innovation boosts efficiency, cuts costs by 30%, and creates a bankable, low-risk blueprint that unlocks investment for climate-resilient water security, accelerating SDG 6

Governments and banks must create a global fund to certify and scale proven water solutions like our smart MAR framework. This reduces risk for investors and unlocks large-scale funding for climate-resilient water security.

Groupement Agropastoral pour le Développement de Yongoro

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,

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

Le renforcement des capacités techniques et institutionnelles des ministères et des communautés locales pour mener à bien des évaluations des risques climatiques, Dans le domaine de la conception et la mise en en œuvre des infrastructures WASH résilientes au climat, de la protection de l’environnement de la biodiversité et de la gestion durable des ressources naturelles

Le renforcement des capacités techniques et institutionnelles des ministères et des communautés locales pour mener à bien des évaluations des risques climatiques, Dans le domaine de la conception et la mise en en œuvre des infrastructures WASH résilientes au climat, de la protection de l’environnement de la biodiversité et de la gestion durable des ressources naturelles

Products that are free of charge to local communities and built based on the most recent technology and innovation.

Providing tools to communities of needs free of cost, instead of "for sale"

More water treatment action by governments in the global south.

Lack of national water finance frameworks/strategies, and lack of capacities to develop them as well as to develop pipelines of good water projects (demand side of finance). Misguided emphasis on mobilising external finance through innovative financial instruments (supply side of finance).

The UfM has created a Working Group on Water Finance and Investment to promote peer learning in the area of Water Finance among government officials.
The Working Group has developed the UfM Recommendations on Water Finance, that will be endorsed by a Ministerial Meeting in Rome on 24-25 March.

Annual Conference on Water Finance and Investment. The sixth edition will take place on 13-14 October. Lead partners UfM and EU Delegation in Egypt. Other partners: Union of Arab Banks, OECD, African Development Bank, GWP-Med, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt. Each Conference's output is a Policy Brief that government officials can use to discuss water finance issues at home.

Water ministries need to build their capacities to deal with strategic water finance issues and prioritise the development of national water finance strategies. The UfM Financial Strategy for Water and the UfM Recommendations on Water Finance provide an overview of strategic water finance issues. For WASH, UNICEF published in 2022 a Guide for Developing WASH Finance Strategies.

International Network of Liberal Women

Challenges include insufficient financing, limited access to innovative technologies, gaps in capacity building, fragmented investment strategies, and inequitable distribution of resources. Climate impacts and rising demand have intensified the need for inclusive, sustainable water investment.

We promote women-led water projects, invest in innovative technologies for water efficiency, and provide training to build local capacity. By linking finance, tech, and education, we advance SDG 6 while ensuring equitable access, resilience, and water management for vulnerable communities.

The “Women, Water & Peace” initiative unites NGOs, local authorities, and women leaders to implement innovative water management solutions. By integrating technology, training, and inclusive governance, it enhanced efficiency, built local capacity, and advanced SDG 6, fostering resilient communities and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

By 2030, governments, UN agencies, and private investors must prioritize inclusive financing and technology transfer for water management, ensuring women and vulnerable groups lead local initiatives. This transformative action will build capacity, accelerate SDG 6, and promote sustainable, equitable water solutions, a key focus for the 2026 UN Water Conference.

International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO)

Lack of funding for classic but effective solutions (training of trainers, monitoring networks and information systems, leakage detection and repair in water supply network, etc.).
Lack of financial resources for innovative solutions (satellite monitoring, zero liquid waste, smart meters, etc.)

Projects to test, adapt and apply these solutions in different contexts, to ensure tailor-made design and implementation based on the local needs and capacities of the beneficiaries.

"One Water Vision": promoting the interest of satellite monitoring, operates accordingly.
European Union supported "Living labs".
Private actors financing of IWRM at basin level.

Select and financially support a set of classic but effective solutions (training of trainers, monitoring networks and information systems, leakage detection and repair in water supply network, etc.) and a set of innovative solutions (satellite monitoring, zero liquid waste, smart meters, etc.) considered essential to bridge the gaps identified in the achievement of the SDGs.

Limited public and private investment, fragmented funding mechanisms, and low adoption of innovative water technologies hinder progress. Capacity gaps, inequitable access to financing, and insufficient integration of water projects into economic planning remain critical challenges

We mobilize public-private investments in water infrastructure and innovative technologies, including smart monitoring and wastewater treatment systems. Through capacity-building programs and multi-stakeholder partnerships, ARDITI and OOM advance SDG 6, ensuring sustainable water access for all

Not much; there is innovations and approaches for marine water, but know we are focused on freshwater as well

Vanni Rehabilitation Organization for differently abled persons

Water investment remains concentrated in large, centralized systems. Small, people-centered, and low-cost innovations—especially those led by women and youth—receive limited funding despite their proven ability to build local resilience.

Mobile RFD (Rainwater for Drinking) and CBRD (Community-Based RFD) Clusters demonstrate that modular, locally managed systems can deliver safe water at minimal cost. Scaling these through W(Women)-RaINet and women-led BiTS-mom programs multiplies impact sustainably.

Rain For All, Seoul National University, and local partners in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Tanzania have installed Mobile RFDs providing safe water for less than 1 USD per person/month. Through W-RaINet, women are trained in system maintenance, strengthening both income and community capacity.

Establish a Rainwater Innovation Fund under UN-Water or development banks to support decentralized, women- and youth-led technologies. Shift financing from mega-projects to “Rainvestment”—small-scale, high-impact innovations that empower people and restore water security.

Environmental and Human Impacts of Lancang-Mekong Mainstem and Tributary Dams on China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam

Olson, K.R. and Frenelus, W. (2024) Environmental and Human Impacts of Lancang-Mekong Mainstem and Tributary Dams on China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Open Journal of Soil Science, 14, 555-605.https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2024.1410029

The primary objective of this study is to assess the environmental and human impacts of all Lancang-Mekong mainstem and tributary dams and the plans by many countries for more hydropower utilizing the potential of the river as the continent’s energy lifeline.

Strengthening of international collaboration via the Mekong River Commission (MRC) or by individual or multiple country agreements to address Lancang-Mekong’s sustainable transboundary development goals is recommended.

Middle Mississippi River: A Critical Transportation, Flooding and Ecological Corridor
Needs Mitigation and Restoration.

The objectives are to document how the Middle Mississippi River has contributed to the successful water resource and economic development of a historically rich region in North America and to identify the anthropic, environmental, and natural resource risks to the Middle Mississippi River basin.

Olson, K.R. (2025) Middle Mississippi River: A Critical Transportation, Flooding and Ecological Corridor Needs Mitigation and Restoration. Open
Journal of Soil Science, 15, 646-690. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2025.159029

The US Armu Corps of Engineers creates a respectful and orderly process for listening and information exchange. They use the public hearing forum to convey that citizen voices are heard and are part of the public record. These hearings enable public exchanges that communicate engineering challenges and progress.

Marchlewicz Marketing Management Agency (Marchlewicz Agencja Marketingowa)

Realizing water objectives for global equal&inclusive&sustainable development as by 17SDGs/2030 Agenda&AAAA at broad&differing managing of countries by national GDP without having explained it&its holistic reliable foreseeable measurable way&picture with all also water elements&their inter-links

Realizing water objectives within&with standard model/equation of knowledge-driven equal&inclusive&sustainable existence within&with environment&(H20)system: by unified&precised loc/nat/glob governed GDP X-Y system guided by 17SDGs&2030 Agenda&AAAA I built&committed to forward to UN&MSs on IP basis

EU regional info&edu&demo pilot with core model of development/2004 with all stakeholders – by Koszalin University&its Regional Contact Point of EU R&D Program acting in national&EU network, 2000-10, by EU Programs. Since 2017 accreditations with its full model/equation to various UN Programs&Structures incl. presentations at: WIPO&UN Water 2023 Conference&WAA commitment&WSIS 2024&WSIS+20 Report

Convincing UNGA to agree precising&unifying GDP&17SDGs/2030 Agenda&AAAA by standard model/equation of our existence and having it at agreed IP-based disposal by UN&MSs to use by Them as its analogue algorithm with directly applicable finances&digital technologies&databases structure&infrastructure and basic template for its info&edu&foreseeable realizing by&for all with integrated water objectives

Persistent fragmentation between finance and water governance, weak creditworthiness of operators, and limited domestic investment pipelines hinder progress. Africa needs systemic reforms to build financially credible institutions and unlock blended finance at scale.

IRC, AMCOW, AU AIP and partners are advancing the Kigali 2026 Symposium to strengthen financial credibility, align governance and investment, and scale innovation for sustainable WASH financing in Africa.

The Kigali 2026 Symposium unites AMCOW, AfDB, AU-AIP, ESAWAS, AfWASA and governments to build creditworthy institutions and investment pipelines. This partnership is driving policy reform, capacity building and alignment of finance actors across Africa.

By 2030, Ministries of Finance and national development banks—supported by AfDB, AU-AIP and partners—must embed water investment in national financing systems, linking governance reform, technology and innovation. This shift will unlock domestic capital and scale sustainable infrastructure.

Stronger Together! Coalition

A key challenge is the massive capacity gap to turn investment and innovation into sustainable results. Without investment into a skilled and diverse workforce and the dismantling of barriers for women, financing, innovation and technologies alone will not lead to lasting success.

Elevating female water professionals contributes to a strong workforce to sustainably turn investment, technology, and innovation into sustainable services. The Stronger Together!Coalition unites women’s networks and partners to this aim; advocates, and fosters networking and mentoring.

1) The Worldbank Equal Aqua Platform successfully generates data on women in utilities, providing important data and a platform to exchange and learn. 2) The Stronger Together! Coalition unites eight women’s networks and six partners, uniting over 15 000 women in water jobs globally, providing peer-support and strong advocacy for a diverse workforce.

Recognizing the need for a well-trained and diverse workforce as the foundation of sucessful investment: Targeted investment in people and the deliberate dismantling of barriers especially for women to attract and retain a workforce that turns investment, technology, and innovation into sustainable services and water security. Funders, employers, governments to address this matter.

Environmental & Public Health International

Lack of transparent, data-driven tools limits equitable allocation of water investment. Many communities remain excluded from climate-resilient financing due to inaccessible cost data and weak integration of innovation in public infrastructure planning.

The free LSLRCC bridges financing and innovation by providing open-access cost modeling for water infrastructure. It builds local capacity and promotes equitable, climate-resilient investment aligned with SDGs 6, 9, 11, and 13.

The LSLRCC’s recognition on UNEP’s Sustainable Infrastructure Tool Navigator and EDF’s Lead Innovation Hub demonstrates its role as a scalable civic tech model integrating innovation, capacity building, and equitable financing for sustainable water infrastructure.

Multilateral development banks and national governments should embed open-access cost modeling tools in funding frameworks, ensuring transparent valuation of water investments and accelerating inclusive, climate-resilient infrastructure financing.

Water lacks a unified investment narrative. Since 2023, fragmented finance, low visibility, and limited PR have hindered progress. The 2026 UN Water Conference must prioritize collective action to position water as investable through innovation, media, and utility leadership.

WaterRising will activate Water House to align finance, technology, and capacity building through public-private partnerships. “Water Needs a Deal” will elevate water’s visibility, unify stakeholders, and accelerate SDG 6 progress through investment and innovation.

WaterRising’s Water Table initiative has convened 50+ roundtables in 7 countries, building partnerships and generating feasibility studies to support women and girls in the water workforce. These dialogues inform investment strategies and capacity building aligned with SDG 6.

By 2030, multilateral banks, public utilities, and media coalitions must co-invest in Water House to launch “Water Needs a Deal”—a global campaign aligning financing, innovation, and capacity building. Promoted at the 2026 UN Water Conference, it will accelerate SDG 6 implementation.

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.

Objectif Sciences International

The global water financing gap exceeds one trillion dollars per year. Investment remains risk-averse, with limited local capacity to manage or absorb funds. Fragmented mechanisms and short-term priorities prevent innovation from reaching the communities most in need of equitable water solutions.

We promote impact finance models that blend philanthropy, public funds, and private capital to support low-tech water innovation. Citizen-generated data strengthens monitoring and verification, ensuring transparent impact measurement and guiding finance toward scalable, community-driven solutions.

Through the Geneva Forum Platform and its dedicated Impact Finance session, the NGO OSI and partners such as 2% for the Future and Action Carbone connect businesses, NGOs, and donors to co-design carbon-positive investments in water. The partnership links field solutions with financing, pools capital, and aligns funding with measurable SDG6 outcomes for truly collaborative, sustainable innovation.

Development finance institutions, governments, and the private sector must transition toward systemic impact finance models linking funding directly to verified SDG6 outcomes. Scaling blended funds, integrating citizen-based data, and prioritizing adaptive innovation will turn water investment from fragmented projects into regenerative systems that sustain people, planet, and future governance.

Financial investments dedicated to freshwater are certainly not sufficient. But worse, their positive impact on water is often counterbalanced by the negative impacts of subsidies or actions in other sectors that are decided without taking freshwater into account.

Our digital tool https://water4allsdgs.org enables the owner of any action, investment, policy from any country to detect and assess the positive and negative impacts of the water component of this action on all water-related SDG targets as well as all the other SDG targets

National policies related to all sectors should only be decided after having checked their potential impacts on freshwater

Private WASH investment lacks safeguards. ODA is falling, with few grants. Humanitarian WASH is underfunded. CSO financing is short-term. Tech fixes ignore social aspects. Integrated WASH-nutrition-climate approaches lack funding. Climate-resilient infrastructure is neglected.

ACF advocates for better WASH financing, supports market-based approaches and social enterprises, applies life-cycle costing and functionality monitoring, and mobilizes climate finance for sustainable, inclusive services.

ACF mobilizes climate finance for resilient WASH and supports sustainable service models via partnerships and market-based approaches. We apply life-cycle costing and strengthen social enterprises to ensure shock-resilient, inclusive WASH delivery in vulnerable settings.

ACF promotes ESG-compliant market approaches, prioritizes MSMEs and public leadership, advocates for flexible, multi-year WASH ODA in FCV contexts, channels climate finance to WASH-nutrition, and strengthens transparency and nexus financing for fragile settings.

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee

Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA)

Investment and innovation focus a lot on infrastructure, namely in sanitation. The long-term operation and maintenance of system is often lacking as well as the required workforce to maintain. While NbS and circular approaches are emerging, funding often focuses on conventional grey infrastructure.

Investment in safely managed sanitation can be a solution for healthier ecosystems, and healthy people, addressing many sectors. Tools like SFDs can steer investment where it is most impactful, lessons learned on SuSanA can improve investment decision-making and base innovations on sector knowledge.

Innovative tools and approaches supported by SuSanA like the SFDs, ECAM, the Stronger Together! Coalition of Women's Networks, can guide towards meaningful investment. SuSanA supports capacity development for sustainable sanitation and provides sector knowledge to all.

Recognizing the benefits of safely managed, climate resilient and equitable sanitation for a wide range of other sectors and issues. For finance and government to enable and increase investment in sustainable sanitation approaches harnessing the potential of circular sanitation for re-use, energy, nutrients, and climate mitigation and adaptation. Invest in a diverse and innovative workforce.

Kathak Academy,ECOSOC Status

Key challenges include insufficient financing for water infrastructure, limited access to innovative technologies, weak capacity-building systems, and fragmented investment frameworks, all exacerbated by climate risks and economic constraints since the 2023 UN Water Conference.

Our organization promotes blended financing models, supports water innovation hubs, and builds local capacity through technology transfer and training. We foster public-private partnerships to scale sustainable water solutions and accelerate progress toward SDG 6 implementation.

Our “Water Innovation & Investment Alliance” links governments, private sector, and research institutions to finance smart water technologies and build local capacity. It has mobilized funds for sustainable infrastructure, enhanced efficiency, and fostered inclusive partnerships advancing SDG 6.

By 2030, governments, financial institutions, and the private sector must establish a Global Water Investment Fund to scale financing for innovation, technology transfer, and capacity building, ensuring equitable access, resilience, and accelerated achievement of SDG 6 worldwide.

Empowerment – driving innovation, financing, and capacity to achieve sustainable water solutions.

Large bankable pipeline deficit; high perceived risk deterring private capital; limited concessional finance for adaptation; and high transaction costs that make small water projects unbankable

Aggregate projects into investable portfolios; scale blended finance, guarantees and GCF first-loss instruments; standardize contracts and due-diligence to lower transaction costs and mobilize commercial capital at scale

GCF’s risk-sharing frameworks, blended finance pilots and Readiness support have catalyzed private and public co-investment in water and resilience projects. Programmatic approaches reduce overheads and increase bankability of small/medium pipelines.

Establish a global and or Regional Water Investment Platform (UN-Water/GCF/MDBs) to pipeline, aggregate and de-risk projects, deploy blended finance at scale and mobilize private capital—closing the SDG6 financing gap and delivering investable portfolios by 2030

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Les inégalités d'accès à l'eau potable accentuent la vulnérabilité des populations les plus pauvres avec des répercussions importantes sur la santé humaine, l'écologie et l'équité sociale.

Pour relever ce défi, il est essentiel de soutenir les initiatives internationales, de favoriser les partenariats entre pays, organisations et communautés, et de respecter les accords internationaux pour une gestion durable de l'eau dans le monde.

La sensibilisation des communautés à l'importance de la conservation de l'eau est également nécessaire pour encourager des comportements responsables et réduire les gaspillages. Une éducation adéquate sur les pratiques de conservation de l'eau peut jouer un rôle clé dans la protection des ressources et la réduction des risques sanitaires.

L’ agriculture représente environ 70 % des prélèvements d'eau douce. Les pratiques agricoles intensives et inefficaces épuisent les ressources en eau et dégradent les sols. L'exploitation excessive des nappes phréatiques menace leur épuisement, ce qui peut provoquer des tensions entre communautés, régions, et même entre pays partageant des ressources en eau transfrontalières.

De plus, la pollution des nappes phréatiques par les produits chimiques utilisés en agriculture

Aid Gate Organization for economic development (AGO)

Limited financing for water innovation, weak private-sector engagement, and lack of technical capacity hinder adoption of renewable technologies and sustainable water systems, especially in rural and post-conflict areas of Iraq.

AGO develops local innovation labs, promotes solar-powered water and irrigation systems, and builds municipal and community capacity to design, maintain, and finance water infrastructure through public-private-civil partnerships.

AGO’s Economic Innovation Lab in Basra, supported by GOAL international , provides training and small-scale finance for youth and women entrepreneurs in water-efficient agribusiness. Over 150 participants have adopted clean-energy irrigation solutions reducing fuel costs.

Governments and donors must establish national green-finance facilities enabling NGOs and SMEs to scale water-efficient technologies. Building capacity for digital innovation and blended finance will unlock inclusive investment for SDG 6 implementation.

Atlantic State Legal Foundation Inc. (ASLF)

Key challenges include insufficient and inequitable financing, limited access to innovative technologies, weak capacity-building at local and national levels, fragmented investment strategies, and inadequate public-private partnerships, all of which have been exacerbated by post-2023 water crises a

ASLF mobilizes blended financing, fosters public-private partnerships, implements technology-driven water monitoring, promotes innovative low-cost solutions, and builds local capacity to enhance water management, improve access, and accelerate progress on SDG 6 and related goals.

ASLF’s “Water Innovation & Finance Alliance” partners with local governments, NGOs, and private investors to implement smart irrigation, decentralized water treatment, and community training programs. This approach improved access to safe water for 20,000+ people, enhanced local capacity, and strengthened multi-stakeholder collaboration.

By 2030, governments, private sector, and international financiers must establish inclusive, scalable investment frameworks that prioritize innovative water technologies, capacity building, and equitable financing, enabling resilient infrastructure, efficient resource use, and accelerated progress on SDG 6 globally.

Support Indigenous-led institutions/projects secure funds from water funders and advocate for direct access to funding. Increase recognition that projects whose objectives are generated by Indigenous Peoples rather than funders are likely to be more successful and long-lasting.

Resource Indigenous leadership for water, create specific opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to access funding, whether through a direct access fund or by specifically including provisions in existing funding streams. This includes capacity development. Capacity needs vary, including legal and technical knowledge, expertise, staff, financial resources, and leadership support.

The Fyera Foundation (ECOSOC)

1. Collective survival mode/stress/ incoherence 2.Water as a profit center by corporations such as Nestle rather than regarded as a right for all 3. The politicizing of water as weapon, as in withholding access to water in Gaza 4. Pharmaceuticals entering water supply 5. Lowering water standards

Include emotional-regulation skill-building to empower communities to be full partners in development. Access to water as a catalyst/enabler of other SDG’s- peace, education, healthcare, sustainable agriculture, & children’s nutrition programs

Empowering people locally on the ground with applied Heart Intelligence to solve their own seemingly unsolvable problems works! Tashinga , a small village in Zimbabwe, was able to get clean water where UNICEF failed 6 times. They used HeartMath emotional self regulation skills to innovate an answer, engineering a pump up a mountain from a well down below, bringing water & food to 2500 families.

Empowering governance and communities with emotional self regulation resilience skills for inclusive, innovative "we" solutions to their challenges with access to clean water, leading to policy that makes clean water a basic right for all living things, and requires every country in the UN system to prioritize budgets of human, scientific, and financial resources to insure it.

Cloud Power & Water (AirHES)

We offer a global solution for water, energy, and climate using clouds, which can provide 11 times more clean fresh water than all rivers combined. Furthermore, clouds are a source of carbon-free renewable energy, potentially second only to the sun, which could solve the climate crisis.

We offer a global solution for water, energy, and climate using clouds, which can provide 11 times more clean fresh water than all rivers combined. Furthermore, clouds are a source of carbon-free renewable energy, potentially second only to the sun, which could solve the climate crisis.

We offer a global solution for water, energy, and climate using clouds, which can provide 11 times more clean fresh water than all rivers combined. Furthermore, clouds are a source of carbon-free renewable energy, potentially second only to the sun, which could solve the climate crisis.

We offer a global solution for water, energy, and climate using clouds, which can provide 11 times more clean fresh water than all rivers combined. Furthermore, clouds are a source of carbon-free renewable energy, potentially second only to the sun, which could solve the climate crisis.

Limited financing for community-led projects, high upfront costs of water infrastructure, and gaps in technology adoption hinder progress. Since 2023, climate impacts and rising demand have increased urgency for innovative funding models, capacity building, and scalable, context-specific solutions.

Through AMRTM, Dholakia Foundation advances SDG 6 by promoting sustainable water use, water-efficient practices, and community engagement. Innovative initiatives include glass-bottled water to reduce plastic, and partnerships to scale impact and build capacity for responsible consumption.

Through AMRTM, Dholakia Foundation partners with local communities, corporates, and NGOs to promote sustainable water consumption and reduce plastic waste. Initiatives include awareness campaigns, distribution of glass bottled water, and training programs, demonstrating scalable, innovative, and community-driven solutions for SDG 6

Key challenges include weak project bankability, limited blended finance access, slow technology adoption, and low capacity for ESG-aligned financial reporting—hindering investment flows into sustainable and climate-resilient water systems.

We collaboratively promotes blended finance models and ESG-integrated project frameworks to attract private capital into water innovation. We also build local capacity in sustainability finance, disclosure, and technology adoption to strengthen SDG 6 implementation and impact tracking.

Through the Integrated Sustainability Finance Framework (ISFF), We partner with private investors, local utilities, and development agencies to align water projects with ESG and SDG 6 targets—mobilizing blended finance, enhancing transparency, and fostering scalable, data-driven innovation in water infrastructure.

A transformative action is for multilateral banks and national governments to establish a Global Water Innovation & Finance Facility that blends public and private capital, supports local capacity building, and accelerates deployment of climate-smart water technologies across developing regions.

United Cities and Local Governemenst - UCLG

Financing remains fragmented and inaccessible to local governments, limiting their capacity to plan, innovate and deliver sustainable water and sanitation services.

UCLG promotes systemic, long-term investment frameworks enabling direct access of local governments to finance, innovation and capacity-building to localize SDG 6.

Through the Global Taskforce and the Sevilla Commitment, UCLG strengthens subnational finance capacities and fosters partnerships with OECD, UNCDF and AFD to enable local governments to co-design financing tools and mobilize investment for water resilience.

By 2030, international financial institutions and national governments must channel climate and development finance directly to local governments, enabling them to plan, invest and innovate in sustainable water systems through multi-level governance.

Partnership with external institutions that have innovative solutions

Government supports local universities to partner with external bodies for mounting such academic programs

Financial allocation in the different public authorities going beyond the environmental dimensions. For example, the EU has identified an annual investment gap of around EUR 23 billion per year (0.1% of EU GDP) to implement the existing water legislation

Water Europe is advocating for a water-smart EU budget for 2028-2034 (link:https://watereurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WE-Position-Paper-MFF.pdf ), integrating water-related investment for competitiveness, environment, and preparedness/resilience

Wateroriented livinglab is good framework to facilitate investment (including private ones) as well as supporting a transparent and inclusive governance for the implementation of innovative solutions. Moreover water-smart public procurement would be good for deploying solutions that support the SDGs agenda.

Creation and deployment of WaterOriented LivingLabs at all scales (transboundary, regional, national, locals, etc...).