UN-Water

28/01/2026

New data shows growing pressure on the world’s freshwater resources

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has released the 2025 Water Data Snapshot, showing that renewable freshwater availability per person has fallen by 7 per cent over the past decade.

The data confirms that agriculture remains the largest user of freshwater globally, accounting for around 72 per cent of withdrawals. Regions with the lowest freshwater availability per person include Northern Africa, Southern Asia and Western Asia.

The snapshot also highlights major differences in irrigation and water-use efficiency. While some countries have irrigation systems covering most cultivated land, many others — particularly in sub-Saharan Africa — have little or no irrigation infrastructure.

The data system behind this report provides globally comparable information on water resources, use and efficiency, supporting evidence-based decision-making on water and food security.

🔗 Explore the data and download the report here ⬇️

The report shows that agriculture remains the largest water-using sector worldwide, accounting for around 72 per cent of global freshwater withdrawals, with Northern Africa, Southern Asia and Western Asia having the lowest freshwater resources per capita.

27/01/2026

Five-year-old Fainoa collects water from Ciuciurati Waterfall and Naotomoci Spring on the southeastern coast of Viti Levu in Fiji, Pacific Islands. These open dams are fed by springs and rivers, and even in clear weather as you can see in the image the water is dirty, often unsafe, contaminated by bacteria, insects, leaves, and mud that can affect the health of children in the community.

Shared by as part of their activation, highlighting how communities in Fiji are working to secure safe water for families.
📷 Viniana Bau

26/01/2026

Exploring new AI tools to support smarter food and water policy making

In October, CGIAR Policy Innovations and the CGIAR Digital Accelerator, in collaboration with the UAE government, hosted a seminar in Abu Dhabi to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can strengthen policy analysis and decision-making in low- and middle-income countries.

The event showcased two new CGIAR developed tools:
✨ RIAPA-AI, offering comprehensive, data-driven insight into how policies affect food systems, jobs and poverty
✨ IDMF-AI, a tool designed to improve water productivity through Irrigation Demand Management and Forecasting

These AI prototypes demonstrate how governments can use advanced technology to navigate complex challenges, optimize resources and craft more effective, evidence-based policies—with a strong focus on scaling their impact in Africa.

📺 Watch the recording and learn more:

This seminar by CGIAR and the UAE government will explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing policy analysis and polic...

26/01/2026

Safe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene for all depends on strong systems — from policies and plans, to financing, workforce and data.

The new UN-Water 2025 report shows that while many countries have policies and targets in place, delivery is still constrained by fragmented responsibilities, workforce gaps, and financing that does not reliably translate into results.

Based on data from 105 countries and territories and 21 development partners, the report highlights where progress is being made — and what needs to change to accelerate results.

Today:
2.1 billion people still lack safely managed drinking-water
3.4 billion lack safely managed sanitation
1.7 billion lack basic hygiene services

Stronger systems are key to closing these gaps and protecting health — especially as climate-related risks and disease outbreaks increase.

🔗 Explore the report and key findings: https://www.unwater.org/publications/un-water-glaas-2025-state-systems-drinking-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-global-update

26/01/2026

On the margins of the Dakar High-Level Meeting (26–27 January 2026), the UN-Water SDG 6 Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) will convene a dedicated side event to spotlight how capacity development is advancing SDG 6 action on the ground.

The side event will:
▪️ Showcase CDI implementation in Costa Rica, The Gambia and Jordan
▪️ Share insights across CDI pilot countries, donors, Member States and partners
▪️ Strengthen linkages with Interactive Dialogue 6: “Investments for Water”, including its capacity building component

Participants will also take part in the Interactive Dialogue 6 discussion on 27 January, helping connect practical lessons from CDI countries with wider conversations on scaling investment and strengthening capacity for water and sanitation.

🔗 https://sdgs.un.org/events/un-water-sdg-6-capacity-development-initiative-cdi-side-event-margins-dakar-high-level

24/01/2026

: Join the International Water Resources Association (IWRA)

The International Water Resources Association (IWRA) has opened two new positions within its Executive Office team. IWRA is recruiting an Events Officer and a Digital Media Officer to support the planning and delivery of international conferences, webinars, online conferences, and hybrid events — as well as strengthen IWRA’s communications and outreach.

📌 Open positions
• Events Officer (deadline: 26 January 2026) – more info:https://www.iwra.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IWRA_Events_Officer_Vacancy.docx.pdf
• Digital Media Officer (deadline: 2 February 2026) – more info:https://www.iwra.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IWRA_Digital_Media_Officer_Vacancy.pdf

📩 How to apply: Send your CV and a one-page motivation letter to office@iwra.org

23/01/2026

Water for equality means TIME — the hours women and girls regain when safe water and sanitation are close to home.

When safe water systems serve everyone, entire families and communities also benefit — especially women and girls.

Data from 53 countries show that women and girls spend 250 million hours every day collecting water – over three times more than men and boys — time that could be used to study, work, rest, and enjoy. Access to safe water restores freedom and potential.
Women and girls bear the brunt of the global water crisis. It’s time to centre them in water solutions.

What does water for equality mean to you? Join the conversation.
www.worldwaterday.org

21/01/2026

Vacancy now open: Head, Research and Training — United Nations University, Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

📍 Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦 | Apply by 8 Feb 2026
🔗 https://careers.unu.edu/o/head-research-and-training-fta

21/01/2026

The Global Water Bankruptcy report finds that the world has entered a new era of water bankruptcy—a condition in which long-term water use has exceeded renewable inflows and safe depletion limits across many river basins and aquifers.

Decades of over-extraction, combined with change, land degradation, and , have pushed rivers, lakes, groundwater systems, wetlands, soils, and glaciers beyond realistic prospects of full recovery. The report makes clear that bankruptcy is not simply an intensified water crisis, but a post-crisis reality that demands a fundamental shift in how water is governed.

Addressing water bankruptcy requires moving beyond short-term crisis management towards transformative approaches that acknowledge irreversibility, rebalance demand within degraded hydrological limits, and safeguard the remaining water-related natural capital that underpins human , ecosystems, and long-term resilience.

🔗 https://unu.edu/inweh/news/world-enters-era-of-global-water-bankruptcy

= , let's get on track.

21/01/2026

Six-year-old Laisani collects rainwater from a tap connected to her family’s water tank in Nataleira, Dawasamu, Tailevu, a coastal village in Fiji. The water is collected and stored in plastic bottles and later boiled at home, as rainwater is their main source of drinking water and must be treated to ensure it is safe for her family.

Shared by as part of their activation, highlighting how communities in Fiji are working to secure safe water for families.
📷 Viniana Bau

19/01/2026