How UN-Water Members and Partners are engaging with the entry points identified in the first-ever UN System-wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation was the focus of discussions during the 42nd UN-Water Meeting. Participants also reflected on preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Highlighting the challenges posed by the UN80 reform initiative and current geopolitical uncertainties, Members signaled their commitment to engage in the upcoming convenings with a view to transform the water agenda for 2030 and beyond.
According to a briefing note by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB), the meeting was structured around the five entry points of the UN System-wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation, which was launched in July 2024.
On Lead and Inspire Collective Action, participants “highlighted that joint messaging among UN-Water Members and Partners contributed to record-breaking visibility for World Water Day 2025” and “discussed activities aimed at making a case for including water issues in the post-2030 development framework.”
On Country-level Engagement, participants heard that joint programming efforts and seed funding are underway in several countries. An SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) Capacity Development Initiative is also underway.
On Mainstreaming Water into Intergovernmental Processes, updates highlighted water-related activities planned during the November 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30), and a repository of intergovernmental water-related language that is being developed.
On Accelerating Progress, participants heard that UN-Water is preparing a 2026 SDG 6 Synthesis Report that will be presented to the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in July.
On Accounting for Progress through Joint Review and Learning, “UN-Water Members and Partners committed to supporting the development of concept papers for the six interactive dialogues that will take place during the 2026 UN Water Conference and to mobilizing stakeholders for deeper engagement.”
On the second day of the meeting, representatives from UN Member States joined UN-Water Meeting participants to hear a briefing on preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, “which will be a pivotal moment to elevate the global water agenda and its interconnections with the global development, peace, and climate agendas.” Updates also addressed activities underway to advance global water action.
Several speakers highlighted UN-Water as an example of the collaboration called for under the UN80 Initiative. Others noted “challenges related to the uncertainty that this UN reform process brings to the discussion of future activities.” Speakers also emphasized priorities and called attention to preparatory opportunities related to the 2026 UN Water Conference. France and Switzerland announced their interest in co-chairing an interactive dialogue during the Conference. Participants were informed that Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, Japan, and Cambodia have also expressed interest in co-chairing an interactive dialogue.
The 42nd UN-Water Meeting convened in Geneva, Switzerland, from 30 September to 1 October 2025. The 2026 UN Water Conference will take place from 2-4 December 2026 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal. [ENB Coverage of 42nd UN-Water Meeting]