11 July 2018: On Wednesday, 11 July 2018, on the sidelines of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and partners convened a side event to launch and discuss the findings of a global review on the effectiveness of national accountability mechanisms towards achieving SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation).

The review, which was undertaken in 25 countries, revealed that accountability mechanisms are lacking in many countries, with speakers calling for raising awareness among governments to ensure effective and participatory multi-stakeholder mechanisms for implementing the SDGs.

During the event titled, ‘Why Robust Multi-Stakeholder National Accountability Mechanisms are Essential for Achieving SDG 6,’ speakers discussed: the role of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and other UN agencies in supporting governments with respect to national accountability mechanisms; difficulties faced by civil society organizations (CSOs) regarding participating in national SDG implementation; Sri Lanka’s efforts to establish a CSO platform and the importance of a service delivery system; and the need for the HLPF to adopt an improved mechanism for CSO participation and to accept CSO “shadow reports.”

CSOs face difficulties in participating in national SDG implementation.

Speakers also highlighted other challenges, including the lack of: a legal basis for existing accountability mechanisms; diversity of stakeholders represented; sufficient financing and budget allocation; adequate monitoring capacity of countries; and harmonized data collection tools.

Norma Munguia Aldaraca, Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported on her country’s experiences with the voluntary national review (VNR) process, noting the time and knowledge required for society to familiarize itself with the SDGs, and called for more involvement of municipalities and the private sector.

The WSSCC convened the event in partnership with in partnership with African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW), Coalition Eau, End Water Poverty (EWP), Freshwater Action Network Mexico (FANMEX), Freshwater Action Network South Asia (FANSA), the Governments of Kenya, Nigeria and Sri Lanka, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, UNDP and Watershed Consortium. [Report Launch Landing Page] [Side Event Announcement] [Global Review of National Accountability Mechanisms for SDG 6 Executive Summary] [WSSCC Website] [IISD RS Coverage of Side Event on SDG 6 Accountability Mechanisms]