The UN-Water Analytical Brief on Water explores the central role of water across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting how water is both a driver and an enabler of sustainable development. The brief emphasizes that progress on SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) is critical not only for health and environmental outcomes but also for climate resilience, food and energy security, economic stability, and peace. It warns that lagging progress on water-related targets undermines the broader 2030 Agenda, especially as global water demand rises amid intensifying climate risks.
To accelerate action, the brief advocates for systems-level approaches that recognize water’s cross-sectoral nature. It calls for enhanced data collection, stronger governance, inclusive financing mechanisms, and integrated planning to address water challenges across urban, agricultural, and industrial domains. The brief also highlights the need to prioritize vulnerable populations, foster regional cooperation, and align water policies with climate and biodiversity goals. By positioning water at the heart of sustainable development and risk reduction, the brief provides a roadmap to mobilize collective efforts and investments for a more water-secure and resilient future.