Latin America and the Caribbean

Non-Governmental Organization

water for peace, water security in transboundary river basins, EWS and hydrometerological monitoring.

various public-private partnerships. in our case, Banka Bio installed fecal sludge treatment plants through Commissionerate and Directorate of Municipal Administration in Telangana state, India - treating the sludge-sewage, and in return getting biosolids and water (both enhance agriculture yield). the project received funding from US-based WaterEquity, Banka Bio operates the plant for 10 years, receives payment - some %age upfront, and the remaining in quarterly instalments.

QOLAC is working for SDG 6. QOLAC is also a signatory of the UN Global Compact and CEO Water Mandate.
https://unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/participants/142797
https://ceowatermandate.org/about/endorsing-companies/

Other stakeholders active in areas related to sustainable development

we have been facilitating water dialogue in the CAREC region and our efforts are actulally very promising, water becoming the centerpiece of many plocies in the region's countries. The details are avialble at https://elearning.carecinstitute.org/

The Young Explorers' Institute for Social Service

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.facebook.com/tyeiss/?ref=pages_you_manage

In the past an expedition was held titiled Ocen to sky, it was from Ganga Sagar to a peak of Uttrakhand by speed boat with New Zeland members and Indians.

Independent Individual freelancer named Hitesh BHATT & MS JALPA PATEL-INDIA.

United States origin from INDIA.

Other stakeholders active in areas related to sustainable development

My only constrints barriers & limitations are financial resources & office limited resources & immunity latters & power as look locally think globally ONE INDIVIDUAL honest & innocent citizen of GLOBE corruption free world related water,sanitation,domestic electricty connection & all civic amenities 26-27 yesrs documentory evidence & no any organisation registration in whole world.

support countries develop, adapt policies and legislation to creates an enabling investment environment to identify, design, and implement public and private funded transformational water security interventions as a new asset class finance the transition and de-risk private investment in address financial market barriers and ensure affordability and bankability to unlock water reuse investment, Supporting new financial models accompanied with acceptable revenue in line with Paris agreement targets and SDGs

https://www.greenclimate.fund/

Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS)

http://www.oss-online.org/index.php/en/about-the-oss

- The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) is the pioneer in the establishment of the first shared aquifer body in Africa: the North Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS) Concertation Mechanism set up since 2002 involving Algeria, Libya and Tunisia. OSS hosts the Technical Coordination Unit of this Mechanism;
- OSS has supported various projects for the development of scientific and technical knowledge of different shared aquifers over Africa: NWSAS, ITTAS, IGAD, Senegal-Mauritania, etc.

Abantu Blue Economy Alliance

Other stakeholders active in areas related to sustainable development

Non-Governmental Organization

soroptimistinternational.org

Foro Confluencia Solidaria

Latin America and the Caribbean

Water Justice Movements

http://confluenciasolidaria.org/

Here are good examples of communities and water justice movements creating holistic programs to address the rapidly unfolding climate emergency:

https://foodtank.com/news/2022/02/costa-rican-agricultural-cooperative-resists-expansion-of-large-scale-pineapple-plantations/ (This is our community )

https://www.flowersandbullets.com/

National-level reform:
https://media.elmostrador.cl/2022/08/LETTER_-_Economists_-_Chile_Constitution_08.22.pdf

https://www.greennewdealnetwork.org/

International Association for Water Law (AIDA)

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.aida-waterlaw.org/

See the GGRETA (Governance of Groundwater Resources in Transboundary Aquifers) project of UNESCO-IHP https://en.unesco.org/ggreta

UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELPMENT STUDIES

Education & Academic Entities

Training and conference organization in irrigation and drainage systems, as well as sustainable water resource management; peacebuilding facilitation; education and campaigns; sustainable agriculture; climate change adaptations, and so on. 
GTEC, JIRCAS, UM6P, AAU, pump Tech, World Bank, United Nations, Volta River Authority, IITA, GTZ, GOVERNMENT, POWER PRIDE PROGRESS, CONSERVATION ALLIANCE, ETC.
www.uds.edu.gh

Science & Technological Community

https://sustainabilitycorp.net/

progress reporting on results do not support established indicators

Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation

The support the UN Water Convention Secretary is currently providing to Zambia towards stakeholders' consultation on accession to the UN Water Convention and river basin institutions, and the support from SADC Water Division and other cooperating Partners.

Non-Governmental Organization

With a 30 year track record Hippo Roller has proven itself an antigravity fighter. Taking the burden of porting water off the heads and shoulders of children and women.

Rede Nacional das Associações Juvenis da Guiné-Bissau

Non-Governmental Organization

Intergovernmental Organisation

In Argentina, Kazakhstan and Kenya substantial progress was made in encouraging and promoting the integration of environmental data within relevant decision-making processes in partnership with UNEP and GWP. Across 18 countries (16 countries in Africa, China and Bangladesh), targeted trainings led to the adoption of revolutionary international non-sewered Sanitation Standards. In partnership with American National Standards Association. www.cap-net.org

Latin America and the Caribbean

https://pawankafund.org/

The latest report of the special rapporteur for access to drinking water and sanitation considers valuable elements, on the forms of management, approaches and associations promoted by Indigenous Peoples, during the 2023 conference, should be incorporated into the voices of the Indigenous villages.

Social Economic Development Society [SEDS]

Non-Governmental Organization

To ensure sdg 6 for clean water and sanitation to ensure water for cooperation among the neighboring countries who share same river water flow among themselves , there must be some sort of unanimous agreement among the nations . No nation should suffer the consequence on the controlling water flow for some nations which can harm the economy , livelihood and agriculture for other nations

Centro para el Desarrollo y la Autonomia de los Pueblos Indigenas (CADPI)

Latin America and the Caribbean

Non-Governmental Organization

The last report of the special rapporteur for access to drinking water and sanitation contains valuable elements to continue deepening the ways of working of the Indigenous Peoples in relation to work, new approaches and the leadership that the Indigenous Peoples have always had that can contribute to the acceleration, implementation and fulfillment of SDG 6.

Non-Governmental Organization

http://www.washroadmap.org/

Previously developed integrated programs like the BabyWASH approach (which integrates water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions into maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition in the baby's first 1,000 days) has proven effective. Geographic co-location, Joint Operational Framework, joint indicators, integrated national policies are examples of effective activities and parameters leading to for example reducing by 45% child deaths each year linked to malnutrition. (WHO 2016).

Non-Governmental Organization

We do not have a partnership partner at this time.
We do not rule out any method of collaboration.

Union of Community Development Volunteers

Non-Governmental Organization

With the theme; “Water for Cooperation”, Union of Community Development Volunteers for over a decade, has worked tirelessly with partners such as European Union, GIZ, United Nations Office of Service Projects, Government of Uganda and other partners in achieving the “Water for Cooperation”. Several initiatives have been established and successfully worked on with our partners such as; Mukoko water project, Tororo-Busia water and sanitation project, Wakiso water project among others.

Meteorological Directorate

Governmental Organization

Science & Technological Community

The project is about to launch and start for a period of almost a decade. Evidence and result will be achieved together. The ambition is to built up a new set of tools for engaging with international partners and new types of activities to support openness and inclusiveness in R&I programmes. This initiative (also outside of EU) is devoted to ease cooperation in industrial R&I and market uptake in the water sector.

Other stakeholders active in areas related to sustainable development

https://kuberneininitiative.com/

As a think tank we have been initiating discussions and dialogues to safeguard shared natural resources from political disputes and disagreements.
https://bit.ly/3rhgHtV
https://www.stimson.org/2022/the-women-water-and-policy-nexus/
https://journals.christuniversity.in/index.php/artha/article/view/2998/2125
https://bit.ly/3E31sfz
https://bit.ly/3E0rnon
https://bit.ly/3Ek4PiH
https://bit.ly/3SlBYOU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxP6xiYImT0
https://bit.ly/3rhTFmI

Non-Governmental Organization

International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC)

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.un-igrac.org/

Political will has proven to be essential in facilitating the mandate for successful groundwater cooperation. For example, cooperation in the Senegalo-Mauritanian Aquifer Basin has recently advanced after ministers from riparian countries agreed to establish a legal and institutional framework for cooperation. Link: https://www.un-igrac.org/news/gambia-guinea-bissau-mauritania-and-senegal-commit-cooperate-shared-groundwater-foundation

Flanders Knowledge Centre Water

Science & Technological Community

https://vlakwa.be/en/home

Non-Governmental Organization

Womenvai Academy proposes leadership and entrepreneurship programs for women in developing regions in this area of Water for Cooperation - www.womenvai.org

Water Witness International

Non-Governmental Organization

Noncooperation at catchment level:water insecurity, conflicts, livelihoods at risk & forced migration-amplified by climate change; at nat’l level- donor fragmentation&challenge of coop between gov ministries&with other actors. Global markets mean interdependencies. 38% of EU’s water demand is outside Europe, using goods from supply chains often in lower income countries. To ensure this supports economies&doesn’t deprive people of right to water,needs gov, private sector, investor&CSO cooperation

Water stewardship, linking all water users in catchments, supported by gov policy&technical input frm CSOs&private sector. Functioning accountability mechanisms, used by most vulnerable water users. Improved cooperation within&between government departments to ensure budget prioritisation & policy and funding coherence. Clear mechanisms for cooperation btwn govt, CSOs & private sector. Donor cooperation.Working across governments, private sector, investors, communities to transform supply chains

Water stewardship linking catchment water users (gov/private sector/CSO); Functioning accountability mechanisms, for citizens to claim rights, stakeholders accountable for sustainable,equitable service delivery (gov/CSO); Increased cooperation between gov&civil soc through constructive advocacy&active platforms; Drive sustainable&responsible water use globally through FairWaterFootprints Declaration-a breakthrough cooperation initiative www.fairwaterfootprints.org (Gov/private sector/CSO)

Examples of successful stewardship linking water users at catchment level (Case studies); Accountability research&practice, ensuring citizens’ voices are heard to resolve water issues accountabilityforwater.org ; Increased cooperation between gov&civil society through advocacy&constructive active platforms(Joint Water Sector Review, Tanzania); FairWaterFootprints Declaration www.fairwaterfootprints.org draft delivery plans by signatories, Malawi&Madagascar to be shared at COP27; Waterwitness.org

ICOMOS International Committee on the Underwater Cultural Heritage

Non-Governmental Organization

Including not only countries, but also communities together.

Considering water as a common good for humankind, and not only a good for certain countries.

Underwater cultural heritage is a tool that can help societies come together. It can become a mechanism used as a confidence-building measure or to foster trust between partners to form better coordination. It is not only an important source of knowledge but an essential tool for the governance of oceans, lakes and rivers. Sharing responsibilities or being protected by the same norms and legislation as the rest of the oceans’ users can help to have a more holistic governance.

Underwater cultural heritage can build trust between all the users and countries involvedThe 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage is, per se, an agreement between different countries about the protection, management and public utilisation of underwater cultural heritage. The main goal of the convention is that state parties cooperate and assist each other in protecting and managing underwater cultural heritage as well as promoting capacity building.

Science & Technological Community

To build a strong and openly accessible evidence base for decision-making, information sharing is needed to enable all to meaningfully find and implement solutions. Co-creation of approaches between varied stakeholders for research, intervention planning and design, and implementation that maximize positive outcomes, acceptance (and local ownership where applicable) will be needed for success.

Governing bodies and funders must change how research, interventions, information sharing, and collaborative projects are incentivized, funded, and evaluated to put a larger emphasis on equity and inclusion for all stakeholders. Also, they must incentivize for open sharing of all articles outputs, including support for data management plans, and https://www.go-fair.org/ sharing principles.

We are a non-profit publisher dedicated to driving equitable Open Science principles that connect researchers across communities. We are working with researchers towards truly inclusive global information sharing infrastructures that empower researchers, local/indigenous communities, professionals, and organizations to take evidence-based action on the most pressing issues our planet faces.

In Feb 2022 we published the OA journal PLOS Water with 1) stringent Open Data policies 2) scope criteria fostering more holistic thinking and solutions 3) equitable OA business models and 4) Inclusion in Global Research Policy - a dynamic forum for driving environmental policy and decision-making. https://plos.io/3rjJw94; https://plos.io/3fvDijA; https://plos.io/3RmEZ07; https://plos.io/3E5xKa2

Latin America and the Caribbean

https://coca-colafemsa.com/

We need to start acknowledging the intrinsic value of water for all sectors, and from there, build consensus around solutions that can address the top priorities at the watershed level, aligning interests and overcoming differences across sectors.

Achieve governance mechanisms for water resources where all interest groups are taken into account and guided by experts, so that resilience is generated in the medium and short term in the basins.

Given the substantial scope, importance, and complexity of water conservation and replenishment, we further work to strengthen water funds and conserve water basins through sustainable initiatives involving partnerships with multiple stakeholders.

Through the Latin merican Water Funds Partnership comprised of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), FEMSA Foundation, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) we jointly seek to achieve and sustain water security in the region, ensuring sustainable access to a sufficient quantity and quality of water to sustain human life and socioeconomic development.

Sanitation and Water for All (SWA)

www.sanitationandwaterforall.org

Water for Cooperation directly relates to water scarcity & security. All have to be viewed in light of SDG6.1 &6.2
Inequalities in access undermine national security
Despite water scarcity there is artificially low cost of drinking water
The World Bank estimates that governments spend around $320 billion per year in water subsidies, only 6% of which benefit the poorest 20%
This contributes to inefficiency, lack of sustainability, & overexploitation of resources

As a matter of human rights, water for domestic uses, including for sanitation, must be prioritized and is an obligation of State. Ensuring that there are strong systems in place for water and sanitation, within wider sustainable water resource management, is a matter of deliberate political commitment and needs political prioritization.

Examples from around the world offer a clear demonstration of how, with strong political will, countries can successfully expand access to water and sanitation. SWA works to increase political will and political prioritization for water, sanitation and hygiene.

SWA acts as a catalyst for change, highlighting the importance of human rights, gender equality, integrity, transparency and mutual accountability in all its work with partners. The SWA Impact Booklet: Celebrating progress and change gathers stories of the impact of the partnership's work https://www.sanitationandwaterforall.org/impact-swa-partnership-around-world

New Mexico State University – NM Water Resources Research Institute

Education & Academic Entities

The migration of people across transboundary areas due to economic and political issues often increases the demand for water, which is particularly critical in regions suffering from droughts that also heavily rely upon groundwater. The management of groundwater systems in binational areas requires developing policy agreements both within and between different states and countries. This requires strategies that face the realities of each communities’ problems, what they have and what is possible

1.- To achieve reductions in water consumption will require innovative policies, educating stakeholders, and increases in water prices, the more water you consume, the more you pay. 2.- As well, to protect and replenish supplies will require increased investments in water processes to recharge our aquifer systems and reuse water.

The Transboundary Groundwater Resilience Network (TGR) network-of-networks (tgrr.nmwrri.nmsu.edu) collaborates with organizations on similar issues to generate feedback and innovative ideas to address stakeholder-identified issues. The main objective is to put in contact interested parties all over the world to increase knowledge of successful strategies that others have achieved, what could help and ideas for implementation in the region of southern New Mexico and Texas, and norther Mexico.

At the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute, we are working with different binational groups which have presented results and different forms of collaboration between the US and Mexico in the New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Chihuahua region to achieve better transboundary groundwater management:
1) TAAP: Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program, https://taap.nmwrri.nmsu.edu/
2) TGRR: Transboundary Groundwater Resiliency Research Network
https://tgrr.nmwrri.nmsu.edu

Women Engage for a Common Future - WECF

Non-Governmental Organization

A major challenge is the lack of participatory decision making. Decision-makers need to cooperate with citizens in the development & implementation of public policies related to water and sanitation (policy development, sector budgets, pricing, management modalities, public funding allocation, monitoring and evaluation). Especially those that are disadvantaged (such as women in all their diversities, youth, Indigenous Peoples). Their expertise makes a crucial difference, but is often left out.

Cooperation for water solutions needs to become more equal. We see that many solutions to water issues(from dealing with droughts to sanitation and health related issues) are developed and implemented by organizations on the ground. However, they are often not included in decision-making processes & lack funding to upscale and expand. Instead, we see large investments going into large-scale technologies. We need to include relevant knowledge holders and strengthen locally-led water innovations.

Bringing together feminist water solutions from around the world. We facilitate exchanges between the inventors of these solutions and help them to strengthen and upscale their solutions. Cooperation with governments, (institutional or philanthropic) funders, and civil society is key here.

The Generation Equality Forums are a good example of innovative partnerships. Although the focus here is on gender equality and not on SDG 6, the format could be interesting to explore. In its design, they are civil society- & youth-led coalitions, inviting different stakeholders to make clear commitments for achieving ambitious goals -SDG 17. An accountability framework is included, which is essential for successful implementation.

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.myworldmexico.org/

* Lack of government commitment and investment for proper management of water resources.
* Water scarcity and inequity in water distribution.
* Uncoordinated action between urban and environmental authorities.

* International cooperation to work on linear innovation actions focused on "hydro-smart cities”.
* Promote "hydro-smart citizens", who contribute to a more responsible use of water.
* Renovate the Wastewater Treatment Plants and the water disinfection system.

* Multilevel work.
* Encourage the participation and communication of the university community.
* Promotion and dissemination of strategies to reduce consumption, reuse water, etc.

June 22 Campaign #RevitalizesTheSeas →Available here: https://bit.ly/3UMG1Fy or https://bit.ly/3BTct0u

Critical issues include the work in siloes – instead of truly cross-sectoral approaches – and the gap in the science-policy interface. Also, the lack of alignment between different initiatives and the lack of participation hamper efficient cooperation fitting what is really needed on the ground. Furthermore, there is a gap in the transition from short term initiatives and pilots into long-term collaborative plans.

Transformative actions must adopt cross-sectoral approach and recognize the intrinsic nature of water from source to sea. It should ensure that existing and new initiatives are focused on the long-term, are better aligned and reinforce each other. Cooperation between the public and the private sector is crucial to ensure truly transformative changes.

Deltares can support cross-sectoral approach and enhance the connection between fresh and salt water challenges, continuing the development of the Source-to-Sea approach. We develop methods to make data and science available and understandable for the users (e.g. decision-makers). We associate it with innovative participative approaches and tools such as system understanding, co-creation and collaborative modelling which facilitate dialogue and cooperation.

The Water, Peace and Security Partnership as a cooperation amongst different sectors (e.g. water and security) and organisations. WPS Partnership also partnered with other similar ongoing initiatives, in order to reinforce each other instead of working on parallel processes.
The Source-to-Sea Platform is also a good example of international collaboration to connect fresh and salt water.

Association pour le Devenir des Autochtones et de leur Connaissance Originelle (ADACO)

Non-Governmental Organization

Il faudrait trouver un cadre international de coopération qui tienne compte du changement climatique et des implications de ce changement dans la vie de chaque individu.

Il sera ici question de faire un inventaire réel de cette ressource dans chaque région du monde afin de définir un plan d'action mondial de protection de cette ressource. Ce plan doit d'intégrer dans les plans mondiaux de développement existant.

Notre Organisation s'attèlera à proposer des projets ou des initiatives basée sur la nature émanant des savoirs traditionnels qui sont détenues par les Peuples Autochtones et les Communautés Locales.

Nous allons travailler de manière concertée avec les autres organisations qui partagent notre point de vue.

IHE Delft Institute for Water Education

Education & Academic Entities

Progress in water cooperation has slowed down in the past decades. Research shows that conflict is increasing, while institutionalization of cooperation is slowing down. This impacts overall progress in cooperation, due to lack of political will (often because benefits of transboundary cooperation are unclear) and lack of technical, human and financial resources. This should be addressed through discussions on how capacity can be increased at the individual, organizational and societal level

To overcome the above-mentioned challenges, transformative action is needed, by advocating the importance of water cooperation (and the significant costs of non-cooperation), and helping develop the capacity to act accordingly. Countries and other relevant actors should commit to better communicate the benefits of cooperation. They should also include water cooperation in broader political and diplomatic considerations, and promote instruments of water cooperation (treaties, basin organizations)

As weak capacity is a key impediment to transboundary water cooperation, developing capacity is crucial to allow individuals, governments and other relevant actors to effectively engage in water cooperation and diplomacy. Since many years, IHE Delft provides capacity development on water conflict, cooperation and diplomacy. It is committed to share this expertise and contribute to capacity development where needed.

1) In the SADC region, regional water law and policies ensured that most transboundary basins have institutionalized cooperation mechanisms
2) In many regions, NGOs, youth organizations, and other community actors have effectively promoted cooperation (example: the Nile Basin Discourse)
3) Training decision-makers on water cooperation makes a difference. The Master Program by IHE Delft and partners (https://www.waterdiplomacymaster.org/) enabled students to build networks while studying together

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.asiawatercouncil.org/

To activate new businesses in connection with global water sector investment and business trends through water for cooperation. (ex. investment in improving water infrastructure).
In particular, each country should share its water management technology and know-how to contribute to the international community's cooperation in achieving SDGs.

The role of the private sector is important. Until now, global cooperation has relied on the government and public institutions as the main actors with their budget. However, the system should be improved so that private sector can actively engage in activities. It is necessary to support the private sector of developing countries by using various financial means such as investment and guarantee to help them in their green/digital transition and to increase the green ODA.

AWC consists of 151 members from 24 countries, and actively cooperating with water-related organizations including governments, academic and research institutions, non-governmental organizations and civil society, as well as international organizations such as World Water Council, International Water Resources Association, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and Asian Development Bank for implementing joint projects.

K-water is a governmental agency, Its leading the advancement of the water supply system and revitalization of related industries through water management ecosystem management across the country and water management consignment projects of major local governments. (ex. SK Telecom, the private company recently agreed to support IoT infrastructure for smart water supply management, upgrade the water resource management system with the K-water.)

In an environment of increasingly complex emergencies, there is a greater need than ever for effective and accountable humanitarian coordination that is rooted in ‘localization’ with an active participation, a meaningful representation and leadership of local and national actors. There is also a need to increase collaboration and cooperation across humanitarian, development and peace actors to achieve the targets set by the SDGs and other frameworks essential to humanitarian action.

The humanitarian system needs to strengthen the core functions of humanitarian coordination through operational support, capacity and learning, knowledge, evidence and advocacy. It also needs to enable active participation, meaningful representation, and decisive leadership of local and national actors. This would require better complementarity with key sectoral strategies and frameworks to ensure a joint approach to collective action across the humanitarian, development and peace sectors.

In order to carry out its strategic plan, it is essential for the GWC to collaborate with key WASH development and peace stakeholders towards the SDGs. This means working closely together to increase focus on cross-cutting themes, including gender, gender-based violence (GBV), disability inclusion, accountability to affected populations (AAP), prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), age, environment and climate change, cash and markets, localization and the Triple Nexus.

The GWC’s Strategic Plan 2022–2025 aligns with UNICEF's Strategic Plan 2022 - 2025, as the Cluster Lead Agency (CLA), along with other key sectoral strategies and frameworks, such as the Humanitarian WASH Road Map 2020–2025 and the Sanitation and Water for All’s Framework.

https://www.washcluster.net/sites/gwc.com/files/inline-files/Global_WASH_Cluster_Strategic%20Plan_2022_2025_FINAL_lowres.pdf
https://www.unicef.org/reports/water-under-fire-volume-2
https://www.washcluster.net/node/30411

Non-Governmental Organization

Low participation of women, marginalised people, youth in water cooperation decision-making processes; disconnection between local level, national level, regional level, and international level policies, mechanisms and practices; misinformation and disinformation over water conflicts and cooperation; little attention to WASH despite impact of transboundary agreement on drinking water availability

Prioritization of water for safe drinking water in transboundary water cooperation arrangements and discussions; Donors and (national&local) governments must ensure that their funded programmes (donors) and their actions (govt) align with the international human rights framework and intergrated water management; awareness-raising for citizens around WASH being a cross-cutting issue, and collaboration with leaders from different sectors to ensure WASH is captured in their work

Help linking local and grassroot organisation to international processes, through awareness raising, information sharing, translation, and alignement with national, regional and international networks

www.franklintempleton.com

Geopolitical conflict and tensions. Water issues suffer from lack of visibility, transparency and collaboration in international processes. Lack of global frameworks and cooperation initiatives bringing in multiple stakeholders. Economic differences and geographic inequity when it comes to the contribution to and impact of water risks.

Recognize and embrace water’s multiple values to different groups and interests in all decisions affecting water. Build cooperation and partnership at all levels and among all actors to achieve water-related goals and targets. Enhance cooperation and reduce conflict over transboundary waters. Pursue legal frameworks for international cooperation. Political dialogue and water diplomacy must be strengthened, including in the framework of conflict-prevention and building cooperation.

Adopt and advocate for common standards for water risk and impact data collection, sharing and analysis. Use our Co-Chair of the Ceres Valuing Water Finance Initiative position to drive positive change. Engagement with investee companies and sovereigns, as well as other stakeholders and local communities. Lead by example when it comes to assessing the risk and impact within our investments. Present a high level of transparency along with a strong management strategy and effective oversight.

Global Water Partnership - www.gwp.org/en/; International Water Association – www.iwa-network.org/; Valuing Water Initiative – www.valuingwaterinitiative.org/about-us/; Valuing Water Finance Initiative (VWFI) - www.ceres.org/water/valuing-water-finance-initiative

Stop Ecocide International

Non-Governmental Organization

The legal framework protecting water ecosystems across the globe is inadequate. Better international and transboundary legal protections will safeguard the world's water systems.

The creation of a crime of ecocide under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court would be transformative and would reach across borders and boundaries. It would create personal, criminal responsibility for key decision makers behind unlawful or wanton acts which cause widespread and severe or longterm damage to water ecosystems. As such it would create a strong deterrent to such acts.

Our organisation acts as a hub for a network of international groups and NGOs campaigning for a new international crime of ecocide. We work at governmental, civil society and grassroots level to communicate, explain and amplify the benefits an ecocide law will bring for every element of our environment. To achieve this groundbreaking legal protection, we need to communicate and collaborate with political and civil society across a wide range of countries and areas of operation.

While ecocide crime is not a new concept, it’s not yet in place internationally.But it’s rapidly gaining support.Discussion is on public record at parliamentary/government level in at least 24 countries.Its approach and the existence of a concise, clear consensus legal definition of ecocide is already positively influencing investors and industry decisionmakers. https://www.stopecocide.earth/leading-states https://www.stopecocide.earth/leading-states https://www.stopecocide.earth/media-summary

Non-Governmental Organization

increasing water scarcity
water abstraction and decision on water allocation
dam construction
chronic and accidental water pollution by industry
residential sewage disposal and land-use changes

Action is needed to improve water resources planning, evaluate availability and needs within watersheds, reallocate or expand existing storage facilities where necessary, emphasize the importance of managing water demand, develop a better balance between equity and efficiency in water use, and overcome inadequate legislative and institutional frameworks and the rising financial burdens of ageing infrastructure.

Stakeholders: Water resources management issues must be addressed at the local, national and at appropriate regional and international levels. All stakeholders, including those in government, international organizations, the private sector, civil society and academia, should be engaged, paying special attention to the livelihoods of the poor and most vulnerable people.

International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC

Non-Governmental Organization

Limited progress in developing an integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach to manage the high number of transboundary water sources in conflict affected regions (e.g. Middle East), i.e. lack of cooperation. Water scarcity and climate change worsens existing situations.

Facilitate discussions / act as a neutral intermediary between States in support to existing forums/initiatives such as: Home (thebluepeace.org)

[more about the challenges:]
ICRC leads discussion on the management of scarce water resources during protracted armed conflict | International Committee of the Red Cross (https://www.icrc.org/en/document/icrc-leads-discussion-management-scarce-water-resources-during-protracted-armed-conflict)

Latin America and the Caribbean

- El lema “cada gota cuenta” subraya el carácter transfronterizo de la gestión del agua.
"La misma frontera que nos divide, es la que nos une, y es por eso que la gestión del agua, al ser la gestión del conflicto, es a la vez un instrumento de paz"
- La inclusión de mujeres en la toma de decisiones va desde el reconocimiento y la inclusión propia de mujeres indígenas, mujeres como propietarias de tierras, como miembros clave de cualquier tipo de organización.

El agua debe gestionarse de forma adecuada, con base en un modelo circular, colaborativo y bajo la perspectiva de Gestión Integrada de Recursos Hídricos . Es necesario incluir este asunto en la agenda política y establecer políticas públicas con una perspectiva de genero.
El objetivo de estos compromisos es luchar contra las injusticias hídricas.
Se debe tener en cuenta la interculturalidad y biodiversidad latinoamericanas que definen una visión diferente de la gestión del agua.

En la Comunidad de Mujeres en Agua tenemos experiencia en gestión de cuencas binacionales como la de Puyango Tumbes entre Ecuador y Perú o la del Río Bravo entre México y EE.UU, ejemplos del conocimiento adquirido en colaboración transfronteriza.
También tenemos contactos en el sector público y redes de activismo medioambiental y feminista locales. Estos contactos unidos a nuestra visión holística de la gestión nos permiten trabajar de forma transversal con varios sectores del agua

1) Recabar información sobre proyectos transfronterizos de gestión del agua para saber qué se ha hecho hasta el momento, aprender de las buenas prácticas, y casos de éxito, y proponer soluciones a los temas pendientes.
2) Contribuir al diseño de programas piloto entre cuencas, que incorporen la perspectiva de género como un eje fundamental de acción

Women for Water Partnership

https://www.womenforwater.org

Phrased positively:
MS decide architecture water: Special envoy: ToR include proposals for the future (functional committee ECOSOC?).
States join the water(courses) convention(s).
National water plans, developed across the board, accompanied by "proof" that non-state actors are part.
Due diligence on water, regardless the topic of policy.
Procurement: use of standard(s) (disseminate information).
Endorse https://en.unesco.org/news/call-action-accelerate-gender-equality-water-domain.

"promoted" is a very non-committal phrasing.
How do we connect existing mechanisms on food(security), energy, mining etc. to water domain. Who will take the lead here?
we are not sure where improvement of capacity building and vocational training should be discussed - but definitely attention and funding for education in the water domain needs attention.
Financial support. How do we ensure money gets " to the ground" Change of mechanisms needed. Invitation to MS to discuss this topic further.

You are phrasing that like we are not doing that yet! WfWP has been working with businesses, academia etc. (Aquafed, CE water mandate, IWRA etc) for a long time and will continue to do that.
in this context:
we are working on proposals for different types mechanisms for/ of funding.
Be a broker, propose good women to join the governing bodies.

the room you give is really..:-( :
- https://www.oecd.org/regional/regional-policy/water-governance-initiative.htm
- World Water quality alliance - Stakeholder Engagement platform
- https://en.unesco.org/news/call-action-accelerate-gender-equality-water-domain
-womenforwater.org/uploads/7/7/5/1/77516286/20220722_women_for_water_partnership-with_women_better_results_in_water_management.pdf
https://www.womenforwater.org/uploads/7/7/5/1/77516286/iucn_women_changemakers_final_web.pdf

Non-Governmental Organization

Most cooperation in the sector is not going to the countries and regions most in need, with the lowest access to basic services.
ODA continues to go to large infrastructure in urban areas rather than in rural areas, where the population with the least access to basic services is found.

Infrastructure alone will not solve governance problems. More effort needs to be put into issues such as participation, accountability, transparency, access to information...

Making it easier for the population to know their rights and claim them, holding their authorities accountable.
Publicising how ODA of donors countries is being spent to demand improvements so that no one is left behind.

Non-Governmental Organization

The concepts of virtual water and water footprint have helped us to understand the interdependencies between consumption in the global north and water use and abuse in other parts of the world. Over 40% of Europe’s total water footprint lies outside its borders. Collaborative action across government, private sector and civil society could make responsible water stewardship the global business norm and accelerate SDG6 – ensuring society’s water footprint is sustainable, resilient and fair.

The collaborative power and reach of governments, businesses, finance and civil society can transform global supply chains by putting water at the heart of trade, purchasing and investment decisions that connect the global north and south so that our water footprints drive a more just and resilient future. The Glasgow Declaration for Fair Water Footprints is leading this work through the bold leadership of 26 Signatories. We aim to double this by UN Water 2023.

The Declaration is working to build and scale stakeholder commitment and actions for fair water footprints; ensure knowledge needed for transformation is generated, valued and used; and develop accountability mechanisms. We aim to strengthen and grow this partnership of learning and practice with additional producer and consumer countries, companies, CSOs and businesses committed to taking transformative action, as well as inform and be aligned with other water stewardship initiatives.

The Glasgow Declaration for Fair Water Footprints has built cooperation across governments, private sector, and CSOs to transform global supply chains and make responsible water management the business norm. The Declaration has 26 signatories so far, representing 170 million people and £5.1 trillion nominal GDP. Signatory delivery plans, progress to date and learnings will be highlighted at COP27. Partnership led by Water Witness, CDP, Chatham House, UK FCDO: www.fairwaterfootprints.org.

Cooperation over shared waters among countries is vital for many challenges our society faces, particularly to cope with impact of climate change, avoid peace and conflict.

Major commitment and finances towards accelerating transboundary water cooperation. Foster more regional and basin level dialogues, and peer to peer learning across basins and scales.

Within our current strategy period, GWP is committed to support more than 20 new transboundary agreements, commitments, and arrangement, as well as to strengthen or establish more than 20 transboundary institutions.

GWP built capacity of individual and institutions working towards transboundary water cooperation, through MOOC on Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security (https://www.edx.org/course/governance-for-transboundary-freshwater-security). Over 3200 professional from 161 countries have joined the course since 2020, and it has culminated to establishing the Transboundary Water Knowledge Exchange Hub (http://www.gwptoolbox.org/group/42/stream), the global transboundary water community.

Netherlands IHP-HWRP committee

The need for transboundary cooperation, at river basin scale or regarding subsurface groundwater bodies, should be acknowledged by all nation states.

Transformative action can be achieved by adopting and implementing adaptive water governance principles, facilitated international dialogues, knowledge brokering and innovative ways for stakeholder engagement.

The Netherlands IHP-HWRP committee facilitates and contributes to international dialogues about policy formulation, water education and capacity development, initiating new research programmes and stimulate knowledge brokering in collaboration with UNESCO, WMO and UN Water Family.

Non-Governmental Organization

http://www.effetpapillon.org/en

There is a need to manage water at appropriate scales to reflect local, regional, national and supranational conditions, applying integrated water resources management (IWRM) and drawing on basin governance and decentralized cooperation. To achieve good governance and increase the efficiency and sustainability of water use, technical, financial and institutional solutions must be put in place, followed by effective and coordinated cross-sectoral implementation.

We need to recognize the role of local & river-basin authorities and communities’ management and strengthen the capacities of local actors. The international community needs to recognize the right of participation of NGOs and local actors in the negotiations and development of international water and sanitation policies and systematically include water as specific segment on the agenda of international conferences dealing with water-related issues

The Butterfly Effect is a global network founded in 2010 that brings together 140+ member organizations. Our mission is to ensure that NGOs and CSOs from around the world are heard and considered by decision-makers and to advocate for the essential role of water in building a more sustainable and equitable future.
The Butterfly Effect can support its members in their advocacy actions at all levels and can induce a constructive dialogue between civil society & other stakeholders

The Butterfly Effect stands out for its integrated vision of the water sector, covering the entire water spectrum, not just water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) aspects. The network is also recognized for its global presence, particularly among NGOs and CSOs in some of the least developed countries.
One of the strengths of the Butterfly Effect Network is its support for groups with limited voice, such as youth, indigenous peoples, and women.

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.waterforum.jp/en/

Today’s youth are more technologically connected. At the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit, youth discussed meaningful youth engagement for water security and resilience. The challenges were pointed out as follows.
・Youth is not seen as valuable partners in promoting regional water security.
・There is a lack of adequate reliable data that shows the impact of water insecurity and climate change, such as access to education, have on youth.

・Youth must be empowered in specific areas, especially in technology, innovation, and data. This can be done through research opportunities and technical and financial support.
・Meaningful Youth Engagement (MYE) should be encouraged in the ongoing constitution of the political, social, economic, technical and administrative processes of water governance.
・Promoting direct investment in the priority issues that affect young people, including youth initiatives, enterprises and youth organizations

Japan Water Forum facilitates the participation of youth on water-related issues by sharing the short videos created by youth that show their ideas and activities. It also creates opportunities for engaging youth at international conferences. To improve accelerating progress, collaboration with development banks, private sector and government is needed in terms of finance.

Youth Water Forum shares the videos submitted by 30 groups on YouTube, at major international conferences. www.waterforum.jp/ywf/en/

Youth-led activities
・An apparel brand and students collaborate to make sustainable gym clothes by recycling used clothes. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjrg3BZBdE4
・Students collaborate with farmers and NGOs, grow sugarcane that is the biggest contributor of absorbing carbon dioxide, and Japanese buckwheat using bio-phosphorus. www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdaawoKIDiw

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.sie-see.org/en/

There is a need to manage water at appropriate scales to reflect local, regional, national and supranational conditions, applying integrated water resources management (IWRM) and drawing on basin governance and decentralized cooperation. To achieve good governance and increase the efficiency and sustainability of water use, technical, financial and institutional solutions must be put in place, followed by effective and coordinated cross-sectoral implementation.

We need to recognize the role of local & river-basin authorities and communities’ management and strengthen the capacities of local actors. The international community needs to recognize the right of participation of NGOs and local actors in the negotiations and development of international water and sanitation policies and systematically include water as specific segment on the agenda of international conferences dealing with water-related issues

Our network is our strength; we mobilize youth in 80 countries, are connected to influential CSO organizations, and have access to decision makers at all levels. We strengthen current relationships and build new ones in disruptive sectors. Citizens and CS are levers for change. We work with a network of partners, seeking complementarities, while strengthening the capacity of local actors.

Acting for water means acting for democracy, dignity, social justice, development, and public health. We aim to be where it counts, in a spirit of localizing aid, to influence decision-makers and foster change. Openness, complementarity, audacity, and commitment characterize our actions. Convinced that water is essential for all aspects of development, we thus contribute to systemic changes for a sustainable management of natural resources.

Non-Governmental Organization

http://www.danishwaterforum.dk/

Set up programs that can support direct cooperation between utilities in developed countries with utilities in poor, resilient and emerging economies, rather than channeling such corporation through state bodies (e.g. the Water Europe Living lab approach also applied by Water Valley Denmark - https://watervalleydenmark.com). Close corporation can do miracles in short time

Danish utilities already cooperate with utilities in e.g. Asia and Africa and accordingly the DK utilities have been able to assist other utilities in optimizing both drinking water production and wastewater treatment.

See examples of corporatiin between Danish and foreign utilities : https://www.aarhusvand.dk/en/international/partners/Strategic-sector-cooperations/

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.un2023gamechangerchallenge.com/

We wish to be inclusive and represent the water sector in total. However, we need to prevent to have inclusion in seperate groups. Thus, youth talks to youth, sanitation to sanitation. Mixing different ages, cultural backgrounds and perspectives will make the UN2023 Water Conference the most inclusive of all.

working local to global to local. Where local specific challenges need location specific solutions, with a global reach where we can learn from each other. Then, from a global platform helps to reach other communities facing similar problems.

The UN2023 Gamechanger Challenges mobilizes youth from primary schools till PhD level. With a positive approach we reach youth from all over the world. The best five ideas of the challenge will present their idea at the UN2023 Water Conference. We wish to collaborate with companies and organisations to develop the winning ideas into concepts towards the Olympic Games in 2024.

Wavemakers United Academy Middle East - started at Dubai Expo november 2021. Follow-up in March 2022 at Dubai Expo where Wavemakers United signed MoUs with parther universities in the Middle East together with Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers. In October 2022 we continue the collaboration with the Global Forum Water and Humanity in Oman.

APWF Secretariat c/o Japan Water Forum

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.waterforum.jp/en/what-we-do/apwf/ & https://apwf.org/

The most important challenge is how to keep water issues on top of competing political agenda align and consequently how to align short term political incentives with the imperatives of sustainable water governance – long term focus, sustained investments.

Also, the water sectors is very fragmented. We have many organizations that overlap that face in the same direction or different directions, saying the same things to one another in each other water conference.

1) The actions and measures need to be tailored to local conditions of countries and communities through localizing partnerships for knowledge/experience sharing and mobilizing the human and financial resources to implement integrated water resources management from upper to lower basins. The goal can be effectively achieved through political will and committed leadership.
2) Water organizations need to get their act together to make a global impact on enhancing water security.

The Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) can be the core of the collaboration platform to work with various water organizations and other sectors to tackle various water security challenges, including the five themes of the UN-Water Conferences, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. By collecting the practices, and recommendations of the Asia-Pacific stakeholders, we can also collaborate with the other regions' stakeholders to tackle globally common water-related development challenges.

APWF is a showcase about collaboration platform to tackle water security challenges worldwide to enhance the political wills of each government leaders. The APWF has provided countries and organizations in Asia and the Pacific with a common platform and voice to accelerate the process of effective integration of water resources management into the socio-economic development process.
https://apwf.org/apwf_wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/About-the-APWF.pdf

International Water Resources Association (IWRA)

Non-Governmental Organization

- Establish a multi-level, cross sectorial water governance system

- Members States to decide the architecture on water. Special envoy: ToR include proposals for the future (functional committee ECOSOC?)

- States join the water(courses) convention(s) and develop scientific knowledge to understand the importance of transboundary cooperation, especially in the case of transboundary aquifers

- National water plans by entire government and non-state actors

- Procurement: use intl. standards

- Make available finances for supporting countries to enter in a cooperative process across borders

- Development of institutional and individual capacities

- Accelerate gender equality in the water domain - https://bit.ly/3SAXKOu

- The IWRA as an international, multidisciplinary, multi-sectoral platform can further bridge the science-policy-practice interface for sound decision-making based on scientific knowledge and evidence-based financing that translate to cooperation on the ground.

IWRA can facilitate the open-source knowledge exchange to all stakeholders in terms of access for capacity development and future actions as expressed above.

- UNESCO i-WSSM GWSI Paper Series (collaborations from IWRA) on Water Security & SDGs, Water Reuse and Groundwater: https://bit.ly/3SoBB6c

- Water International Special Book on Source-to-Sea Management: https://bit.ly/3LTjMcY

- Water International (42-6) & Policy Brief on Groundwater and Climate Change: https://bit.ly/3LSphZH / https://bit.ly/3M2lzN1

- IWRA Report on Identifying Smart Water Cities: https://bit.ly/3BZWgGD

- IWRA World Water Envoys Programme - https://bit.ly/3xZXErR

Latin America and the Caribbean

For transboundary cooperation, inadequate legal basis and insufficient means of implementation.

Strengthening of international water law, in particular through widespread ratification of the two global water conventions; adoption and effective implementation of basin-wide and adaptive treaties; better availability of means of implementation; establishment and sustained operation of basin organizations, with adequate and clear mandates.

Support for the negotiation and adjustment of water agreements and the ratification of the Global Water Conventions; legal advice in the incorporation of transboundary water considerations into national legal frameworks. This would imply collaboration with governments and basin organizations.

Implementation of the ECE Water Convention. Capacity-building led by the Global Water Partnership and regional bodies.

European technology Platform (Think Tank, Business, NGOs, Science and Technological Community, Universities)

Partnerships with all the relevant actors not with mirroring stakeholders. All the stakeholders needs to be involved around the same table/challenges. Moreover, exchange of best practices and knowledge, accessibility to water-related technology are key to tackle this global challenges (eg. upskilling the worforce to help utilities). Multistakeholders platforms are critical to ensure enhanced cooperation on water and knowledge sharing.

Going beyond the CoPs to develop long terms collaboration. It will be relevant for key trends such as digitalisation, the water-energy, WEFE nexus.Local solutions should be brought to the forefront of discussion. Data sharing at different scales and social metrics are important.(eg. EU Water4All partnership ; https://water4all-partnership.eu/ ; Affrialliance: https://afrialliance.org/knowledge-hub/afrialliance-stakeholder-map/afrialliance-stakeholder-map).

Water Europe had supported projects to encourage cooperation between EU and Egypt on water-related challenges (https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/varhelyi/announcements/speech-commissioner-varhelyi-cairo-water-week_en). Beyond the vision that we provide, Water Europe also supports projects with international partners (eg. Afrialliance, etc...) and the exchange of best practices and transfer of knowledges.

Working closely with central and local governments, regulators and communities, from an in-house expertise sharing perspective (not as consultants) - as it is done, for example, by Aguas de Portugal Internacional (http://www.adpinternacional.com/en/?id=http://www.adpinternacional.com/pt/) or WE with the MEP Water Group, the EU institutions + Project involvement (https://watereurope.eu/project-involvement/) + the development of WoLLs (https://watereurope.eu/publications/)

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.solidarites.org/fr/?noredirect

* There are no formal inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms that can be activated in a simple and effective way. Tools as humanitarian WASH plans, or objectives, aligned with those of other sectors are missing. The only multisectoral integrations are bilateral, in silos between WASH & Education, Protection, Shelter, Food security & Livelihood respectively.
* Insufficient participation and accountability, particularly with CSOs.
- The absence of a multilateral framework for water and sanitation

Cross sectoral cooperation must be facilitated by shared data collection, joint assessment of information, joint preparedness and response mechanisms, shared facilities and equipment, joint training and exercises, integrated policies, intersectoral funding mechanisms, etc.
The integration of key water and sanitation topics in other sectors discussions.
Reinforce an enabling environment (policies, tools & resources) for an integrated water resources management at national and local level

Through the implementation of its global and sectoral strategies, its involvement in the main global and local humanitarian networks and systems (WASH Roadmap, French Water Partnership, Water Coalition, Global WASH Cluster, etc.) SI encourages and support coordination & cooperation with various actors from the WASH sector and beyond, including the development of a knowledge sharing platform such as OCTOPUS (https://octopus.solidarites.org/)

Previously developed integrated programs like the BabyWASH approach (which integrates water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions into maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition in the baby's first 1,000 days) has proven effective. Geographic co-location, Joint Operational Framework, joint indicators, integrated national policies are examples of effective activities and parameters leading to for example reducing by 45% child deaths each year linked to malnutrition. (WHO 2016).

Non-Governmental Organization

The health of wet landscapes and their dependent biodiversity, economies and communities is supported by natural transboundary river regimes. Often water related development along transboundary rivers is not informed by the risks of degradation and opportunities that these landscapes can bring based on an understanding of the trade-offs. Many pilots and innovations exist but they struggle to become part of mainstream use in many regions.

Knowledge, tools and approaches that embed ecosystem related societal benefits in river basin analysis, planning and investment decisions need to be co-developed and managed by riparian states and basin organisations. This will underpin understanding of the trade-offs and stakeholders involved and drive more equitable water management decisions. Priority in the Sahel which is criss-crossed by transboundary rivers in a water insecure region.

Wetlands International works in wetland systems in transboundary basins around the world and across the Sahel. We work in multi-stakeholder, multi-scale initiatives helping showcase complex river - wet landscape interrelationships , broker knowledge, support riparian states and basin authorities to development decision-support tools (e.g. forecasting and environmental flow tools) and influence investment.

Blue Lifelines for a Secure Sahel: an initiative that seeking to accelerate restoration and sustainable use of major Sahelien wetlands that are integral parts of the transboundary river systems that criss-cross the Sahel https://www.wetlands.org/casestudy/bliss/
Corredor Azul Initiative: Safeguarding and restoring a healthy connected corridor along the Paraguay to Parana river https://www.wetlands.org/casestudy/corredor-azul/

Non-Governmental Organization

http://vivatinternational.org/

Non-Governmental Organization

Financing, weak coordination and governance, enforcement of plans and policies is often under funded

- Multi-level governance dialogues from local to international
- Advocacy from local to global
- Integrated strategy development and planning
- Training and capacity development
- Sharing of lessons learnt and knowledge products
- Tools, guidelines and support to build local resilience across 5 key pathways

Japan Water Forum c/o Asia-Pacific Water Forum Secretariat

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.waterforum.jp/en/what-we-do/apwf/ & https://apwf.org/

The most important challenge is how to keep water issues on top of competing political agenda align and consequently how to align short term political incentives with the imperatives of sustainable water governance – long term focus, sustained investments.

Water Sectors are very fragmented. There are many organizations that overlap in focuses and activities, sometimes aligned, but very often misaligned. This turns out a huge waste of previous resources, both time-wise and money-wise.

Water organizations need to voice a much more coherent message to the other sectors beyond the water dimension, to enhance their other sectors' understanding water challenges also matter significantly to their sectoral development.
The measures need to be tailored to local conditions through localizing partnerships for knowledge sharing and mobilizing the resources to implement IWRM from upper to lower basins. The goal can be achieved through political will and committed leadership.

APWF has been the core collaboration platform that works with various water organizations and other sectors to tackle various water security challenges. We can be the lead platform for the five themes of the UN-Water Conferences, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. By collecting the practices, and recommendations of the Asia-Pacific stakeholders, we can also collaborate with the other regions' stakeholders to tackle globally common water-related development challenges.

Transforming a quality-oriented society was recognized and agreed upon among the 18 Heads of State and Government and the international community participating in the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in April 2022.

APWF has taken efforts to enhance the political wills of government leaders by convening the leading expertise to provide support for policy making and deployment of solutions.

https://apwf.org/apwf_wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/About-the-APWF.pdf
https://apwf.org/summit/

Non-Governmental Organization

1. Insufficient regional exchange of knowledge between water utilities.
2. Insufficient understanding of local context

1. What: increase knowledge exchange funds to connect utilities within the region
Who: IFIs, GWOPA
2. What: 1) Increase funds for capacity building of beneficiary utilities with regards to investment planning, proposal writing, design and supervision. 2) promote trusted advisor
Who: International financing institutions

1. Facilitate knowledge exchange activities within the region, as well as online platforms in close collaboration with UN GWOPA.
2. Provide capacity building through WOPs

1. See the online platform for (worldwide) knowledge exchange between water utilities, supported by the Dutch Water Operators and coordinated by UN GWOPA (https://wopscommunity.workplace.com/)

Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)

Non-Governmental Organization

‘The last SDG indicator 6.5.2 report shows that in Africa only 29% of transboundary river basins and fewer than 10% of transboundary aquifers are the object of TBW agreements and, of these, only 19% have any basin-wide agreements. In addition, most TBW agreements assume that future water supply and quality will not change and fail to consider increasing climate-induced water variability. Therefore, most TBW agreements lack the capacity to adapt to temporal and spatial changes in water quantity.

The ICWC Water Cooperation Outlook study and report series is being developed in an iterative way. first steps include to conceptualize and unpack the concept of water cooperation and what is meant by it. Methodology will be developed on assessing the state of the quality of water cooperation. The work will build on what is already existing such as the UNECE monitoring and assessment of transboundary waters and UN-Water assessment of IWRM (including some elements of cooperation).

Water Environment Federation

Non-Governmental Organization

Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship to solve water crisis - The thinking that created the current situation cannot be the thinking that solves it. Programs such as InFLOW, the Imagine H2O business accelerator, BraveBlue.World Foundation and UNLEASH.org - the global SDG innovation lab bring youth and innovation to water challenges, are needed to accelerate innovation in all areas of water

Engaging youth and mid-career professionals through innovation to challenge the historical norms. Discussion would feature young professionals (18-40 yo) entrepreneurs from 5 continents focusing on integrated solutions with water, climate change, and industrial and infrastructure innovation.

Partner with organizations worldwide to instill entrepreneurial skills and ideas in the generations that will lead now and for the future. For example, WEF is committed to InFLOW (Introducing future leaders to opportunities in water) and is a partner with UNLEASH, a program with over 5000 global alumni. Communication with general public is also necessary to get stakeholders to understand the value of water and the circular economy contributions of wastewater resource recovery.

Unleash.org has over 5000 alumni through innovation lab, accelerator and Hacks. WEF InFLOW https://www.wef.org/resources/for-the-public/wef-inflow-program/ and Water Leadership Institute https://www.wef.org/resources/water-leadership-institute/about-wli/ have supported hundreds of water leaders. Braveblue.world documentary has over 100 million streams on Netflix and sequel is filming now.

Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Non-Governmental Organization

https://stakeholderforum.org/

Ensuring that shared transboundary rivers, lakes and aquifers are managed equitably, sustainably and peacefully, particularly in the context of climate change through operational arrangements for water cooperation.

Inclusive, multistakeholder water governance at all levels would accelerate coherent implementation of the water-related SDGs and support water security, peace and stability. Further strengthening integrated resources water management, especially through better cross-sectoral coherence and engagement of all relevant stakeholders and better coordination of the UN related entities dealing with water would accelerate water goals for which better governance at all levels is required.

Our organization can strengthen capacity building of relevant stakeholders and better engagement with institutional stakeholders and governments at all levels. Cooperation with organizations dealing with good governance and transparent institutions would be needed to achieve this goal.

https://www.upstream.tech/

Solving data scarcity for water intelligence is a pressing in understanding river basins in transboundary regions. We need to create a global understanding of the past, present and future of water at a scale and with a high level of accuracy to ensure that communities, biodiversity, and economic interests are protected.

We need industry, non-profits, and governments to come together on embracing innovative technologies that address data scarcity for water to help accelerate equitable water policies in these transboundary regions. Leveraging public-private partnerships across these regions will incentivize further collaboration, and there should also be efforts to make make that water data accessible and easy to use for water planners and other stakeholders.

Upstream Tech has 2 products: HydroForecast, which combines the latest in machine learning with conceptual approaches to hydrologic modeling to predict streamflow volume accurately anywhere in the world, and Lens, a remote monitoring, reporting and verification software. Using HydroForecast, we enable water intelligence in data scarce regions. We can contribute to best practices in data sharing and partnerships on this topic and welcome collaboration with governments, non-profits, and academia.

Our partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and Microsoft helped deliver data on river basins fall within the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA). Upstream Tech’s theory-guided machine learning model provided historical ungauged streamflow records at key locations in the Kwando and Upper Zambezi basins. Please see https://www.upstream.tech/posts/delivering-water-intelligence-to-key-regions-with-the-world-wildlife-fund

Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)

Non-Governmental Organization

The issues faced in transboundary systems cross the traditional land-freshwater-coastal-marine boundaries, yet governance of these systems often only considers one segment or involves a single sector. This prevents consideration of tradeoffs and can prevent solutions that benefit the entire system, from source to sea. Governance arrangements and behavior changes are needed to foster cross-sectoral coordination and upstream-downstream cooperation and co-create sustainable and equitable solutions.

At national and regional levels, resources must be provided to support coordination between different sectors and tiers of governments, and cooperation across geographic segments. All stakeholders must be included in decision-making, ensuring that the voices and concerns of marginalized and vulnerable communities, youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples are heard at all phases of policy making, and benefits are shared equitably. Projects should be assessed through the source-to-sea lens.

Through its leading work on source-to-sea management and transboundary water diplomacy, SIWI contributes toward changing the way environmental challenges are managed, promoting creation of more holistic and effective solutions with wider benefits across the source-to-sea system. Additionally, by hosting the secretariat of the S2S Platform, SIWI facilitates the sharing of best practices, develops innovative knowledge resources that advance cooperation and implements source-to-sea actions.

Source-to-Sea Management brings stakeholders together and facilitates transboundary, international, cross-sectoral collaborations, enabling common goals to be established and conflicts to be effectively managed as they arise. This approach has been piloted by SIWI in Vietnam & Ethiopia. Both cases championed cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge which helped generate shifts toward greater upstream-downstream cooperation and engaged a wider range of stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.facebook.com/nehelpCameroon/

Weak institutional frameworks, poor governance and management strategies accompany by lack of political will to actively engage in effective integrated water resources management. Also the is poor understanding of water resources and their linkages as well as regional, National and local water objectives and constraints. Poor communication planning and conflict management skills. Top bottom approach. Lack of transparency .

Informed and genuine concensus and strategic alliance. The is need to foster active international and regional partnerships, including those between public and private institutions as well as with local communities. Drawing upon the energy and talent of all including the youths and women.The proper functioning of trans-boundary water resources is a key concern.

NEHELP is engage in promoting the joint efforts ofcountries in developing cost-effective strategies for integrated water resources management on the basis of mutual agreement. Supporting studies to identify the benefits of collaborative approaches in developing international shared water resources. Helping to strengthen institutions for managing shared waters, assisting in the development of appropriate legislation, and supporting infrastructures for generating and sharing data and information.

World Youth Parliament for Water

https://youthforwater.org/

- Water should be seen as the pathway for peace not the opposite and that isn’t how it’s seen.
- Governments see other communities/townships/countries as their competitor not their teammates when it comes to water.
- People (our leaders/decision makers) have fragmented local viewpoints rather than seeing water as a unified entity that needs to be tackled together, on a global scale.

- Different governments need to work together and trust that they are all interested in the same outcome, achieving the SDGs.
- All stakeholders need to be involved
- There needs to be reliable legislation and policy in place to encourage the private sector to work with the community and vice versa.
- We need to view water a a unifying entity and partner and work with people/groups/sectors we haven’t in the past.

- Young people of today have grown up in such a globalized world it has designed us to be champions of global cooperation/collaboration.
- I believe young people are already at working together better than other established organizations and we can be on the team leading these cross-community or international dialogues and agreements regarding water.
- Cooperation “starts at home” and young people and other under-represented communities are ready to do say.. we just need to be invited!

Improved sector coordination and closer collaboration and coordination between WRM and WASH.
Defragmentation of the global WASH sector.
Increase flexible WASH financing .
Improved coordination with regard to water for health, economic development and environment.
Humanitarian-development nexus support.
Coordination for sanitation and hygiene at national, regional and global levels.

Closer cooperation across WASH sub-sectors and with other sectors.
Link humanitarian responses to the development of sustainable WASH systems for all.
Advocate against attacks on water and sanitation infrastructure.
Build a WASH sector capable of providing quality WASH services in emergencies.
Greater coordination with the sanitation sector - governments, development agencies, NGOs, private sector, academia, etc.

Cooperation between communities to address WASH problems in reducing inter-community violence, building trust and social cohesion.
Enhanced coordination of the sanitation and hygiene sector.
Synergized climate resilient WASH programing with standard metrics for tracking progress.

Linking WASH across humanitarian and development programming with strong focus on peace building opportunities and Disaster risk reduction principles.
The Hand Hygiene for All initiative – a partnership with WHO, World Bank, WaterAid, and others – has advanced hand hygiene policies in 70 countries around the world.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Non-Governmental Organization

La gestión del rio Pilcomayo es de manera centralizada (vía cancillería) con poca participación de los actores locales.
En la zona del Pantanal del Rio Paraguay es aprovechado de manera desigual del lado brasilero y del lado paraguayo (turismo, fauna ictícola) con pocos beneficios para los pueblos indígenas.

Incorporación de los gobiernos locales y pueblos indígenas transfronterizos en la gestión compartida de los cursos de agua en el Pilcomayo (Bolivia, Argentina y Paraguay).
Incorporación de los pueblos indígenas en la gestión de Paraguay en la gestión del rio Paraguay en la zona del pantanal (Brasil, Paraguay)

Gobernanza en el manejo de la cuenca hídrica con el fortalecimiento de las organizaciones indígenas y gobiernos locales.

“Inequality has an unbeatable track record of ripping societies apart.” (undp.org).

Corruption also undermines societies and economies. In water/basic services, there is not only embezzlement, but whole agendas may be skewed to serve illegitimate interests. Corruption is closely connected to water pollution and over-abstraction.

For water cooperation and peace; poverty, corruption and inequality remain as greatest obstacles.

Transformative action needed by governments is to create better conditions: Good governance, applying transparency, accountability, rule of law, inclusion, participation, responsiveness, and respect for human rights.

Beyond transformation thru good governance, concrete action in water may involve
- IWRM to allocate water efficiently and equitably,
- Diplomacy and forums to resolve conflicting interests
- Equitable access to resources for livelihoods / income-generation

UNDP works with partners to support countries and communities to cooperate around shared water systems. UNDP (working with GEF) is the largest global provider of IWRM solutions in the transboundary context, promoting scientific and ecosystem-based collaborative approaches. (see https://www.undp.org/blog/celebrating-30-years-shared-water)

For environmental peace-building and climate security, UNDP emphasizes the importance of equitable and sustainable local livelihoods and reduced inequality.

“…to make peace sustainable, we must invest in development, recognizing the central role that institutions – formal, informal and civil alike – play in ensuring that solutions are nationally-owned, long-term and effective.” (https://stories.undp.org/a-renewed-vision-for-peace?utm_source=web&utm_medium=homepage&utm_campaign=peace)

Noting the role ofLake Chad Basin Commission is playing for stabilization in that region (https://cblt.org/promoting-regional-integration-peace-and-security/)

Freshwater Action Network Mexico / Redes del agua

Latin America and the Caribbean

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.facebook.com/FANMexRedesdelAgua

La agricultura, los ecosistemas, la industria , la economía y la vida en general en este planeta requiere de agua. Esta agua esta siendo contaminada drásticamente por prácticas agrícolas, industriales, y extractivas que están trastornando no solo la disponibilidad y calidad del agua sino los ecosistemas que permiten que este ciclo se mantenga funcionando. Es urgente parar los lobbys agroindustriales y que los estados velen por los intereses sociales de la humanidad.

Establecer un organismo internacional con un mandato especifico que vele por el agua en el marco de naciones unidas y que se establezca un fondo por el agua que permita implementar una agenda que haga avanzar los acuerdos ya tomados en torno al Derecho humano al agua y saneamiento así como los acuerdos por el acceso a información ambiental relevante al agua, y acuerdos de conservación de biodiversidad existentes.

Abogar por que la comunidad internacional reconozca y garantice el derecho de participación de las ONG y los actores locales en las negociaciones y el desarrollo de políticas internacionales de agua y saneamiento e incluir sistemáticamente el agua como un segmento específico en la agenda de las conferencias internacionales que tratan temas relacionados con el agua.

Redes del agua buscará junto con otros actores globales que los estados presenten una resolución que cree un organismo internacional para el agua y un fondo global para el agua que permita contar con recursos y acciones concretas para asegurar la integridad del agua y sus ecosistemas para la presente y futuras generaciones

Latin America and the Caribbean

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.cantaroazul.org/mision-y-vision

En varios de los acuerdos que han surgido de la cooperación por el agua se ha tenido la sensibilidad sobre las problemáticas locales del agua, sin embargo, la falta de efectividad de las resoluciones internacionales a escala local, sigue dejando grande dudas en torno a participar de estos espacios, a que en realidad las resoluciones signifiquen avances. Es de suma importancia, que Naciones Unidas aumente su capacidad para observar e impulsar a los Estados cumplan los compromisos adquiridos.

Es fundamental, establecer una agencia de naciones unidas que tenga como mandato especifico velar porque los acuerdos internacionales por el agua lleguen al mejor puerto posible en el menor tiempo. Que tenga su propio fondo por el agua que le permita implementar una agenda que haga avanzar dichos acuerdos en torno a los Derechos humanos al agua y al saneamiento de manera interdependiente a otros derechos.

Contribuir en las estrategias con base en los retos de narrativas e implementación que desde la sociedad civil hemos enfrentado al procurar la apropiación de la agenda del agua y de sus acuerdos internacionales tanto con tomadores de decisión como con la ciudadanía en general en las comunidades rurales.

Cántaro Azul como parte de Redes del agua buscará junto con otros actores globales que los estados presenten una resolución que cree un organismo internacional para el agua y un fondo global que permita contar con recursos y acciones concretas para asegurar la integridad del agua y sus ecosistemas para la presente y futuras generaciones.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Non-Governmental Organization

https://www.facebook.com/people/Ni%C3%B1os-y-Cr%C3%ADas-AC/100067800831143/

La agricultura, los ecosistemas, la industria , la economía y la vida en general en este planeta requiere de agua. Esta agua se contamina drásticamente por prácticas agrícolas, industriales, y extractivas que están trastornando no solo la disponibilidad y calidad del agua sino los ecosistemas. Es urgente que empresas agroindustriales y los estados velen por los intereses sociales de la humanidad. No se puede seguir privilegiando el beneficio de pocos por el detrimento de millones de personas.

Es urgente que se establezca un organismo con un mandato especifico que vele por el agua en el marco de la ONU, que se establezca un fondo por el agua que permita implementar una agenda que haga avanzar los acuerdos ya tomados en torno al Derecho Humano al agua y saneamiento. La comunidad internacional debe reconocer y garantizar el derecho de participación de las ONG y los actores locales en las negociaciones y el desarrollo de políticas internacionales de agua y saneamiento.

Redes del Agua buscará junto con actores como CONAGUA, organizaciones filantrópicas y líderes comunitarios que los estados voten por una resolución que cree un organismo internacional para el agua y un fondo global para el agua.

Redes del Agua , tiene contactos y mantiene dialogo con distintos gobiernos de la región de América Latina y buscará promover que distintos países presenten una propuesta de resolución en la ONU que permita incrementar la prioridad del agua en las agendas de países y la agenda global https://www.cantaroazul.org https://www.facebook.com/people/Ni%C3%B1os-y-Cr%C3%ADas-AC/100067800831143/ https://www.facebook.com/sendas.ac

Science & Technological Community

The Water4All Partnership, cofunded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme, aims at enabling water security for all in the long term through boosting systemic transformations and changes across the entire research – water innovation pipeline. In the partnership VITO leads Task E.3: DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE TOOLS FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION together with Water Europe, CNR, WRC, IenW, CREA, BRGM, GSRI, Water Alliance, APE.

Developing and testing innovative tools:
Co-designing innovation transfer (e.g. transfer-type project for the valorization of scientific results and transfer to public –private partnership, mobilizing the main scientific actors, and possibly their industrial counterparts on a target challenge which could be reproduced in different contexts);
Co-creating spaces in demonstration / living labs areas for exchanging experience from local know-how.

Supporting international events, scoping workshops, support from local authorities; Exploring the feasibility of developing MoU for launching calls for projects on the basis of multi-lateral agreements between interested Water4All funders and specific RFOs in non-member countries; Exploring the interest and feasibility of specific Researchers Mobility schemes within Member States and third Countries and/or within third Countries on water-related topics.

The project is about to launch and start for a period of almost a decade. Evidence and result will be achieved together. The ambition is to built up a new set of tools for engaging with international partners and new types of activities to support openness and inclusiveness in R&I programmes. This initiative (also outside of EU) is devoted to ease cooperation in industrial R&I and market uptake in the water sector.

Flanders Knowledge Centre Water

Science & Technological Community

https://vlakwa.be/en/home

Water is not top of mind in other policy domains

Different interpretations are given to certain paradigm shift (eg paradigm shift from linear to circular water use: for some it is about the technical optimization of existing infrastructure to recover resources for others it's more about interventions at the source, ...

Unclear insight in Power dynamics (eg role of incumbents) and how to play into these for the best outcome

Integration of the "water-efficiency first principle" in other policy domains.

We don't make decisions based on reality but based on our perception of our reality. Need to bring different perspectives around the table. Build on a common understanding as a basis to take next steps forward.

Clear understanding of how the water system works up to the level of the (often entrenched) mental models, beliefs, opinions, that are at the basis of how the system works and daring to question these.

Boosting systemic transformations. To foster this a capacity building program will be set up focusing on the development of sustainability competences (within the framework of the European partnership water4all). These are not only technical in nature, but include aspects such as systems thinking, long-term thinking, the ability to solve complex problems, and co-creation. In this respect the methodology and the lessons learned from the Transition Arena Water will be shared and built further on.