2026: A Defining Year for Water Governance
From global food systems to climate action, water governance will be high on the agenda in 2026. An overview of the most important WASH-related conferences and policy moments of the year
Water is essential to human health, food security, resilient livelihoods, functioning ecosystems and biodiversity. Universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a prerequisite for human dignity and a cornerstone of sustainable development, underpinning progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Global water resources are, however, under increasing pressure. Agriculture accounts for around 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals, while industry uses approximately 15 percent, making both sectors highly exposed to climate-induced water scarcity and significant contributors to water stress. Climate change, population growth, pollution and unsustainable water use are intensifying competition over water resources, with the most severe impacts borne by vulnerable and food-insecure communities.
Effectively responding to these challenges requires stronger, more coherent and rights-based water governance. This includes upholding the human rights to water and sanitation and the right to food, while better aligning water policies with food systems, climate action, public health and ecosystem protection. Without improved coordination and accountability, progress towards SDG 6 and related goals will remain out of reach.
At the global level, however, international water governance remains highly fragmented. More than 30 UN entities and numerous partnerships are engaged in water-related work, often with overlapping mandates and limited coordination. Against this backdrop, 2026 represents a critical opportunity to strengthen cross-sector coherence, reinforce accountability, and translate growing political attention on water into concrete, measurable outcomes.
A turning point for SDG 6
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
With fewer than five years remaining until 2030, the world is off track to achieve universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation. To close this gap, 2026 must deliver renewed political commitment, increased and better-targeted financing, and clearer mechanisms to track progress, strengthen monitoring and reporting, and enhance accountability for SDG 6.
Building momentum
In December 2026, the UN Water Conference will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), co-hosted by Senegal and the UAE. It will mark the first comprehensive global SDG 6 stocktake since the 2023 UN Water Conference and represents a vital opportunity to strengthen coherence and accountability in international cooperation.
Recent developments have opened new opportunities for change. The outcomes of the 2023 conference, the appointment of a UN Special Envoy for Water, the UN system-wide strategy on water and sanitation, and ongoing preparations for 2026 have created new space for more integrated, cross-sector action. Within this context, several key moments in 2026 offer opportunities to anchor water more firmly within global policy debates.
Key Moments in 2026
Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), 14–17 January 2026, Berlin
An early high-level political moment in 2026 linking water and agriculture. The forum explores how stronger water governance can build resilient agri-food systems, protect ecosystems and strengthen human rights, contributing to broader policy discussions in the lead-up to the preparatory meeting for the UN Water Conference.
Together with the German WASH Network and WaterAid, Welthungerhilfe co-convenes a session called "From fragmentation to action: strengthening water governance for resilient agri-food systems". The session focuses on how stronger water governance can build resilient agri-food systems, protect ecosystems and strengthen human rights and brings together keynote contributions from:
- Miriam Haritz, German Water Director, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN)
- Johannes Cullmann, Federal Institute of Hydrology (Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde, BfG) & United Nations University-FLORES
- Kathrin Demmler, Lead Technical Specialist, Knowledge Leadership, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
- Mathias Mogge, Secretary General, Welthungerhilfe (WHH)
- Anjani Kapoor, Head of Policy, Accountability and Results, Sanitation and Water for All – a UNICEF-hosted partnership (SWA)
- Hannah Neumeyer, Germany Representative, WaterAid (WA)
High-level Preparatory Meeting for the UN Water Conference, 25–27 January 2026, Dakar
A key step in shaping priorities and commitments ahead of the UN Water Conference in December 2026, bringing together governments, UN actors and partners.
High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2026), 6–16 July 2026, New York
The UN platform will conduct an in-depth review of SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) among other SDGs. It is a critical moment to assess global progress on water and sanitation and to strengthen accountability with less than five years to 2030.
Africa Water & Sanitation Systems Leadership Symposium 2026, 17–21 August 2026, Kigali
The symposium aims to align African leaders and partners around credible, resilient and investable water and sanitation systems, showcasing locally led, cross-sector solutions.
Stockholm World Water Week, organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), 24–28 August 2026, Stockholm
A global platform for dialogue, learning and partnerships.
UN Water Conference 2026, 2–4 December 2026
Location: United Arab Emirates (co-hosted by Senegal and the UAE). The first global SDG 6 stocktake since 2023. The conference is expected to feature six interactive dialogues on key themes, including water for people, prosperity, the planet, cooperation, multilateral processes and investment, bringing together governments, UN agencies, civil society and other stakeholders to address global water governance and water security challenges.
Together, these moments make 2026 a decisive opportunity to advance more coherent, rights-based approaches to water, sanitation and hygiene—across global, national and local levels—and to better align water governance with food security, climate action and sustainable development.
