26 September 2019
World Water Quality Alliance to Support Evidence-based Assessment
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The Alliance, comprised of approximately 50 organizations, is meant to provide evidence-based assessment, solutions and services addressing water quality issues.

This data will be used to produce a baseline assessment of global water quality and its drivers to be considered by UNEA-5.

UNEP is a 'custodian' for data collection for three indicators under SDG 6 targets.

24 September 2019: At a meeting in Isapra, Italy, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP or UN Environment) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission held the second global workshop of the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA).

The Alliance, comprised of approximately 50 organizations, is meant to provide evidence-based assessment, solutions and services addressing water quality issues. This data will be used to produce a baseline assessment of global water quality and its drivers as called for by the third meeting of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-3). The assessment is to be considered by UNEA-5, which will convene in 2021, in Nairobi, Kenya.

UNEP estimates that 80% of wastewater globally is released directly into water bodies without treatment, and that by 2050, the world could see at least a doubling of wastewater production. In response, inter alia, the UNEA-3 resolution (UNEP/EA.3/Res.10) calls for better data collection, water monitoring and technologies to recycle and reuse wastewater. The resolution also tasks UNEP, in cooperation with other organizations in and beyond UN-Water, to develop a global water quality assessment, taking into account, among others, emerging pollutants.

Speaking on the WWQA, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen noted how “improving water quality is central to environmental sustainability and to ensuring healthy ecosystems, healthy people and a healthy planet.”

UNEP is the custodian agency for data collection for indicators under targets 6.3, 6.5 and 6.6. [UNEP Press Release] [European Union Press Release] [UNEP Meeting Presentation 24 September 2019] [UNU Flores Meeting Information]

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