Un's Efforts To Combat Water Pollution: An Overview

Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to both human health and the environment. In recognition of this, the United Nations (UN) has implemented various measures to address water pollution and improve access to safe drinking water. The UN's efforts are coordinated by UN-Water, which works to inform policies, monitor and report on progress, and inspire action through its Members and Partners. One notable initiative is the Water Action Decade, launched in 2018, which aims to mobilize global action and transform how water is managed. The UN has also recognized the human right to water and sanitation, emphasizing the need for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. Additionally, the UN supports the development of transboundary water agreements through the Water Convention, fostering cooperation and policy processes. The organization plays a crucial role in addressing water pollution, with WHO and UNICEF collaborating to improve water safety and sanitation, particularly in healthcare facilities.

The UN General Assembly recognised the human right to water and sanitation in 2010

In July 2010, the UN General Assembly recognised the human right to water and sanitation, with 122 countries voting in favour, none against, and 41 abstentions. This resolution, known as Resolution 64/292, states that everyone has the right to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use. It further acknowledges that safe and clean drinking water and sanitation are essential for the realisation of all human rights.

The resolution expresses deep concern that about 884 million people were without access to safe drinking water, and more than 2.6 billion lacked access to basic sanitation at the time. It also highlights the alarming fact that 1.5 million children under five years old died each year due to water- and sanitation-related diseases. The UN General Assembly recognises that ensuring access to clean water and sanitation is integral to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

The recognition of the human right to water and sanitation by the UN General Assembly has had a significant impact globally. Several countries, including Costa Rica, Egypt, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Niger, Slovenia, Somalia, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe, have incorporated this right into their constitutions. Additionally, Australia, Nepal, and Togo have passed legislation recognising these rights. Courts have also upheld the UN General Assembly's decision, such as in the case of Mosetlhanyane and others v. Attorney General of Botswana, where a court of appeal affirmed that water is a human right linked to the rights to health and life.

Despite the progress, there are still significant challenges to realising the human right to water and sanitation. As of 2022, 2.2 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and 3.5 billion people do not have access to basic sanitation services. Climate change, increasing water scarcity, population growth, and urbanisation are exacerbating these issues. To address these challenges, the UN and other organisations have been working towards improving water management, promoting cooperation, and developing strategies to increase access to safe and sustainable water and sanitation services.

The Water Convention facilitates cooperation and supports policy processes and capacity building

The United Nations has implemented several measures to address water pollution and improve access to safe drinking water worldwide. One of the key initiatives is the Water Convention, officially known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. This international legal instrument and intergovernmental platform aim to ensure the sustainable use of transboundary water resources by facilitating cooperation among nations.

The Water Convention has been instrumental in strengthening transboundary water cooperation and supporting policy processes and capacity building in shared basins. It provides a unique UN framework that facilitates the development of transboundary water agreements, fostering peace and cooperation among countries. Since its global opening to all UN Member States in 2016, the Water Convention has seen a growing number of accessions, with over 20 countries currently in the process.

The convention offers a platform for countries to come together and discuss the sustainable management of shared water resources. This is particularly important in addressing the challenges posed by water scarcity, pollution, and degraded water-related ecosystems. By facilitating cooperation, the Water Convention helps to prevent and mitigate water-related disputes and conflicts, promoting peaceful relationships among nations.

Moreover, the Water Convention supports policy processes by providing a practical framework for translating human rights to water and sanitation into reality. It aligns with the UN's recognition of the human right to water and sanitation, as affirmed by the UN General Assembly in 2010. This right entails that everyone, regardless of their status or location, should have access to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use.

In addition to the Water Convention, the UN has also introduced the Protocol on Water and Health, jointly serviced by UNECE and WHO-Europe. This legally binding instrument specifically focuses on protecting human health by improving water management and reducing water-related diseases. It provides a framework to implement Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and adequate sanitation for all.

The Water Convention, along with other UN initiatives, demonstrates the organization's commitment to tackling water pollution and ensuring sustainable water management. By facilitating cooperation, supporting policy processes, and building capacity, the UN strives to protect this vital natural resource and safeguard the health and well-being of people and ecosystems worldwide.

The UN works with governments, businesses and individuals to protect freshwater ecosystems

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) works with governments, businesses and individuals to protect freshwater ecosystems. The work of UNEP on freshwater is led by the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit, which has set out global Freshwater Strategic Priorities to help implement the Medium-term Strategy for 2022-2025. The aim is to protect, manage and restore freshwater ecosystems and water resources, which are fundamental to tackling the planetary crises of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change.

UN-Water is another key initiative that coordinates the water and sanitation programmes of over 30 United Nations organizations. UN-Water's role is to ensure that the United Nations delivers a cohesive response to water-related challenges. It does this through three lines of work: informing policies, monitoring and reporting, and inspiring action. UN-Water also helps shape global policy responses to disasters, climate change, sustainable development, and other issues.

The UN General Assembly launched the Water Action Decade on 22 March 2018, to address the growing challenge of water scarcity and the looming global water crisis. The initiative aims to mobilize action and transform how water is managed worldwide. The UN has also recognized the human right to water and sanitation, emphasizing that everyone should have access to sufficient, continuous, safe, affordable, and physically accessible water for personal and domestic use.

In addition, the UN has been working to increase access to safely managed drinking water. Between 2015 and 2022, the proportion of the world's population with access to safe drinking water increased from 69% to 73%. This has been achieved through various strategies, including increasing investment, promoting innovation, enhancing cross-sectoral coordination, and adopting a more holistic approach to water management. The UN also collaborates with organizations like WHO and UNICEF to address water-related health issues and improve water safety.

The UN has set targets to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030

Water is essential for health, poverty reduction, food security, peace, human rights, ecosystems, and education. However, the world is facing a water crisis due to growing water scarcity, pollution, and mismanagement, which is only set to worsen with the rising global population. The United Nations is taking action to address this crisis and ensure universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030.

The UN has recognized the human right to water and sanitation, as outlined in the UN General Assembly resolution of 2010 and the Water Action Decade launched in 2018. This resolution emphasizes the critical nature of water for sustainable development, poverty eradication, and hunger alleviation. It also highlights the deep concern over the lack of access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as the negative impacts of water-related disasters, scarcity, and pollution.

To achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water, the UN has set specific targets. Sustainable Development Goal 6.1 aims to achieve universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030. This goal is tracked through the indicator of "safely managed drinking water services," which refers to drinking water from an improved water source that is located on-premises, available when needed, and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination. In 2022, 6 billion people accessed these services, but 2.2 billion people still lacked them.

The UN is also addressing water pollution through the Water Convention and the Protocol on Water and Health. The Water Convention, with 52 parties as of 2023, facilitates cooperation and supports policy processes and capacity building in shared basins. It provides a unique framework for developing transboundary water agreements, fostering peace and cooperation. The Protocol on Water and Health, jointly serviced by UNECE and WHO-Europe, is a legally binding instrument that aims to protect human health through better water management and the reduction of water-related diseases.

Additionally, UN-Water plays a crucial role in coordinating the efforts of over 30 UN organizations working on water and sanitation programmes. They aim to increase the effectiveness of support provided to countries in achieving international agreements on water. UN-Water informs policies, monitors and reports on progress, and inspires action. They also collaborate with governments, businesses, and individuals to address water-related challenges.

The UN is addressing the urgent water crisis through the UN 2023 Water Conference and other initiatives

The United Nations (UN) has recognized the human right to water and sanitation, explicitly stating that everyone, everywhere, has the right to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use. However, the world is facing a growing water crisis due to water scarcity, pollution, and mismanagement, which is expected to worsen with a projected 40% shortfall in freshwater resources by 2030. This crisis is already impacting billions of people, with water-related diseases causing approximately one million deaths annually and hindering sustainable development, food security, and ecosystems.

To address this urgent issue, the UN convened the 2023 Water Conference in March, co-hosted by the governments of Tajikistan and the Netherlands. The conference, attended by over 6,500 participants, resulted in the adoption of the Water Action Agenda, with approximately 700 commitments in the form of financial pledges, collaborative projects, and actions to protect and manage water resources. The Agenda aims to catalyze action and bring successful solutions to a global scale, addressing water scarcity, pollution, and other water-related challenges.

The Water Action Agenda is a significant milestone, reflecting the voluntary commitments of nations and stakeholders to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets connected to water. These targets include universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water, improved water quality through pollution reduction, and adequate sanitation and hygiene for all. The Agenda also emphasizes the importance of cross-sectoral coordination, evidence-based action, and a holistic approach to water management.

In addition to the UN 2023 Water Conference and the Water Action Agenda, the UN has been actively addressing the water crisis through various initiatives. For example, the UN's Water Convention facilitates transboundary water cooperation and supports policy processes and capacity building in shared basins. The Protocol on Water and Health, jointly serviced by UNECE and WHO-Europe, is a legally binding instrument that aims to protect human health through better water management and the reduction of water-related diseases. Furthermore, the WHO has been working closely with UNICEF on water and health initiatives, such as the development of the WASH FIT tool, which guides healthcare facilities in improving water safety, sanitation, and hygiene.

The UN and its entities are committed to tackling the water crisis through global gatherings, agreements, and collaborative projects. The urgent need for action is evident, and the UN's initiatives provide a framework for countries to address water scarcity, pollution, and the health and environmental impacts associated with them.

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