UN-Water

23/10/2026

Safe toilets mean dignity.

More than half a billion people today still share toilets with other households, putting women's and girls' privacy and security at greater risk.
Safe sanitation is a human right that benefits the whole community in many ways.
What do safe toilets mean to you?

Join the conversation this and help create ‘Safe toilets. Equal futures.’
🚽 Learn more: www.worldtoiletday.org

21/10/2026

WHO has published a new report presenting results from Rounds III and IV of the Household Water Treatment Technology Evaluation Scheme.

The report outlines findings from WHO’s global programme to independently assess household water treatment products against WHO health-based performance criteria, based on their ability to remove microbial contaminants from drinking water.

Household water treatment and safe storage remain critical public health interventions, particularly as nearly 2 billion people worldwide still rely on unimproved or contaminated drinking-water sources.

The findings aim to support countries, UN agencies and partners in identifying effective technologies and informing standards, regulation and procurement decisions to help protect public health.

Download the report here.

The report outlines findings from WHO’s global programme to assess household water treatment products, which are independently tested against WHO health-based performance criteria and classified according to their ability to remove microbial contaminants from drinking water.Household water treatme...

20/10/2026

Young water heroes in action! 💧🌍

To celebrate , students from Centro Educativo Nuestra Señora de Lourdes in Porteña and FASTA Santa Teresita del Niño Jesús in Freyre, Córdoba, Argentina, explored the theme of water heroes and heroines through creative projects and reels.

A wonderful example of young people raising awareness about the importance of water and inspiring others to take action!

Thank you to the students and teachers for sharing their creativity and commitment! 💙

19/10/2026

Ten years after the adoption of , progress is real.

💧 961 million more people have access to safely managed drinking water.
🚽 1.2 billion more people have access to safely managed sanitation.
🧼 1.6 billion more people have access to basic hygiene.

Countries are also improving water management and strengthening the data needed to make better decisions.

But faster progress is needed to achieve safe water and sanitation for all.

Read the United Nations SDG 6 Synthesis Report on Water and Sanitation 2026: https://www.unwater.org/publications/sdg-6-synthesis-report-2026

17/10/2026

Progress on water and sanitation is happening around the world.

Over the past five years, the UN-Water SDG 6 Country Acceleration Case Studies have highlighted how countries are accelerating action on safe drinking water, sanitation, water quality, water-use efficiency, integrated water resources management and cooperation.

From community-led action and stronger governance to innovation, financing and partnerships, countries are showing different pathways to achieving .

Every country is unique, but the experiences can inspire action far beyond national borders.

🔗 Explore the Case Studies:
https://www.unwater.org/publications/country-acceleration-case-studies

16/10/2026

Safe toilets mean health.

1 in 5 people still lack a place to wash their hands with soap and water at home.
Safe sanitation and hygiene help prevent diseases and protect communities. For women and girls, they also support healthier pregnancies, better menstrual hygiene, and uninterrupted education and work.

Investing in toilets, water and hygiene supports healthier homes, schools, workplaces and health care facilities.

What do safe toilets mean to you?
Join us this
🚽 www.worldtoiletday.org

14/10/2026

Water resilience starts with collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.

The 7th IAHR Africa Congress will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 8–11 December 2026, bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, industry representatives and young water professionals to exchange solutions to Africa's most pressing water challenges.

Under the theme "Water Resilience & Innovation", the Congress will explore topics including water resources management, climate change adaptation, and the links between water, energy, food security and ecosystems.

📢 The call for extended abstracts is now open. Researchers and practitioners are invited to share innovations and best practices that support resilient and sustainable water futures across Africa.

Read more and register ⬇️

The Congress will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, industry representatives and young water professionals from across Africa and beyond to exchange knowledge and explore solutions to pressing water and environmental challenges. Discussions will focus on water resources manage...

14/10/2026

Did you know that wasting food also means wasting water?

Every day, the world wastes more than one billion meals. And every meal wasted means precious water used to grow and produce that food has gone to waste too.

Agriculture is the world's biggest user of freshwater, so reducing food waste is one simple way we can all help protect our water resources.

This , let's take action!

🥕 Buy only what you need.
🍲 Enjoy your leftovers.
🌱 Choose more water-efficient foods.

Less food waste = less water waste. 💧


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14/10/2026

💧 Water, sanitation and health: Connecting science, policy and practice.

From 26–30 October, the UNC Water & Health Conference will bring together experts from around the world to discuss solutions for improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and protecting public health.

WHO will contribute to discussions on drinking-water quality, climate resilience, menstrual health, WASH monitoring, and safe water and sanitation in schools and health care facilities.

The programme also includes a WHO-led session on the future of its Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.

🌍 Can't make it to North Carolina? Selected sessions will be available online, with free virtual registration.

👉 Register here https://register.waterandhealthconference.com/register/
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13/10/2026

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Water and biodiversity are deeply connected. Healthy rivers, lakes, wetlands and other freshwater ecosystems support life – while healthy ecosystems help protect the water resources people and nature depend on.

From 19–30 October, the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) will bring governments and stakeholders together in Yerevan, Armenia, to advance implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

💧 24 October: Water and Biodiversity Day at the Global Biodiversity Framework Pavilion.

Learn more: https://cop17yerevan.am/en