The first-ever UN System-wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation, which was launched in July 2024, placed UN-Water in the lead for developing a collaborative implementation plan. Discussions during the 41st UN-Water Meeting were organized around the entry points identified in the Strategy.

On entry point 1, “Lead and inspire collective action on water and sanitation,” participants discussed events marking World Water Day 2025 and World Toilet Day 2025 and the launch of the UN World Water Development Report 2025.

On entry point 2, “Engage better for countries by leveraging whole-of-United Nations system support and by mobilizing stakeholders and partnerships for water and sanitation,” participants discussed activities related to Country Level Engagement and the SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) Capacity Development Initiative.

On entry point 3, “Align United Nations system support for the integration of water and sanitation issues across sectors and mainstreaming into intergovernmental processes,” participants discussed progress in developing a repository of intergovernmental language on water as well as activities related to water and climate change.

On entry point 4, “Accelerate progress and transformational change by unifying United Nations system support through the five SDG 6 global accelerators: financing, data and information, capacity development, innovation, and governance,” participants were updated on the:

• innovation accelerator of the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework;
• Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6;
• African Ministers' Council on Water; and
• UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Catalytic Finance in Sanitation, Hygiene and Wastewater.

Participants at the 41st UN-Water meeting also discussed preparations for upcoming global meetings on water and sanitation including the 2026 UN Water Conference and the 11th World Water Forum, which will take place in 2027.

UN-Water plays a coordinating role within the UN, to ensure the UN family “delivers as one” in response to water-related challenges. The overarching focus of UN-Water’s 36 Members and 49 Partners is to support UN Member States to sustainably manage water and sanitation.

The open session of the 41st UN-Water Meeting took place from 2-3 April 2025 in Rome, Italy, and on-line.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Lynn Wagner, Ph.D.; and Olivia Pasini. The Digital Editor was Ángeles Estrada. The Editor was Pam Chasek, Ph.D.