Collaboration: The Key to Unlocking Sustainable Water Solutions
Water is the lifeblood of our planet, essential for sustaining ecosystems, supporting economic growth, and nourishing communities. Yet, our water resources face unprecedented challenges – from climate change and population growth to pollution and overexploitation. Tackling these complex, interconnected issues demands a collaborative, cross-sectoral approach rooted in the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
IWRM is a holistic framework that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources. By breaking down traditional silos, IWRM enables stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to work together, aligning their efforts to maximize economic and social welfare while safeguarding the sustainability of vital ecosystems. This collaborative approach is crucial in today’s water landscape, where no single entity can solve the multifaceted challenges alone.
Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) has been at the forefront of driving progress on IWRM implementation worldwide. Through its SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme, GWP collaborates with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNEP-DHI, and UNDP Cap-Net to assist governments in monitoring, planning, and executing country-specific strategies for achieving SDG indicator 6.5.1 on IWRM.
“The multi-stakeholder approach of the Support Programme has been recognized as a comprehensive operational tool for assessing countries’ progress towards achieving SDG 6.5.1,” explains a GWP representative. “The consultations aim to bring together the perspectives of different stakeholder groups to provide a consensual response to the survey on SDG indicator 6.5.1, evaluating the country’s degree of IWRM implementation.”
These inclusive stakeholder engagement processes have been instrumental in fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and strengthening national monitoring efforts. In Central Asia, for example, consultations deliberately focused on reducing language barriers and establishing a common level of understanding among diverse participants, from government agencies to private sector representatives and civil society organizations. This enabled comprehensive, well-informed discussions on the challenges of enhancing institutional cooperation and overcoming governance silos.
Similarly, in Central Africa, the multi-stakeholder approach revealed that while significant progress has been made, finance remains a universal challenge across the region. By engaging a broad range of stakeholders, the consultations generated valuable insights that can guide targeted reforms to address this critical barrier to IWRM implementation.
“The process was important because in Sri Lanka, more than 17 institutions are working on water, each with their different perspectives and service delivery needs,” shared a participant. “Whereas, in the future, that will change because, when we start talking about integrated water resource management, every aspect of water should be coordinated on one platform. An inclusive approach has to be in place to implement IWRM effectively.”
Embracing Innovative Tools for Collaboration
To further enhance stakeholder engagement and data collection, GWP has developed an innovative online IWRM Survey tool. This user-friendly digital platform, available in seven languages, enables stakeholders worldwide to efficiently participate in the SDG 6.5.1 reporting process, recording their inputs and perspectives on the state of IWRM implementation in their countries.
“Following the last reporting round which took place during the pandemic, where virtual or hybrid consultation modes prevailed, the demand for digital tools to facilitate consensus-building on survey scores surged,” the GWP representative explains. “Responding to this need, GWP developed the online survey, which has now been used by 17 countries, collecting more than 220 inputs from stakeholders globally.”
The tool’s simplicity and speed in recording scores have been widely praised, with over 70% of users expressing satisfaction. Governments, academia, and the private sector have all utilized the platform, underscoring its adaptability to diverse stakeholder needs. This innovative approach has been recognized as an invaluable asset in strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement and aligning perspectives on the state of IWRM implementation.
Scaling Up Collaboration through Transnational Networks
While national-level collaborations are essential, the water sector’s challenges transcend borders. This realization has led to the emergence of transnational partnerships, such as the Northern Water Network (NoWNET), that bring together public and private sector entities, academia, and civil society organizations from across the globe.
Established in 2004, NoWNET is a multi-stakeholder network comprising organizations from Finland, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, and South Korea, as well as global entities like the World Water Council and GWP. The network’s primary objectives are to share knowledge, bridge gaps, and mobilize resources to address water issues that no single sector can solve alone.
“Recognizing that water issues are too vast for any one sector to tackle, the NoWNET aims to bridge gaps and mobilize resources, including human expertise, both locally and internationally,” explains Yumikko Asayama, Chief Manager of the Japan Water Forum and NoWNET Secretariat.
Over the past two decades, NoWNET has evolved to adapt to the changing global landscape, expanding its focus beyond the traditional North-South divide to encompass emerging water challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. The network’s unique value lies in its ability to convene diverse stakeholders, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and amplifying the collective voice of the water community on the global stage.
“To truly realize its potential, NoWNET needs a more proactive and agile secretariat to lead transformative change,” suggests Dr. Kenzo Hiroki, one of NoWNET’s founding members. “If the network remains on its current trajectory, the progress over the next 20 years might be slow. However, with renewed commitment and innovative thinking, NoWNET has the potential to become a leading force in water sector decision-making for the years ahead.”
Unlocking the Power of Cross-Sectoral Collaboration
As the world grapples with increasingly complex water challenges, the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration cannot be overstated. By breaking down silos and forging partnerships that span disciplines, industries, and geographies, stakeholders can harness diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives to develop and implement holistic, sustainable solutions.
The experiences of GWP’s SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme and the NoWNET network demonstrate the transformative power of collaboration. These initiatives have facilitated inclusive dialogues, encouraged knowledge-sharing, and leveraged innovative tools to drive progress on Integrated Water Resources Management. In doing so, they have not only strengthened national and regional capacities but also elevated the collective voice of the water community on the global stage.
As the world races to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and address the mounting water crisis, the path forward lies in fostering even deeper, more strategic collaborations. By bridging divides, aligning priorities, and unlocking synergies, water stakeholders can catalyze the systemic change needed to ensure a water-secure future for all.
