Water Action Decade

In December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 71/222 proclaiming the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028, commonly referred to as the Water Action Decade. The Decade aims to advance sustainable development and integrated water resources management to achieve internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The resolution states that this should be pursued through cooperation and partnerships at all levels, with a focus on social, economic and environmental objectives.

The Water Action Decade has been well-received by Arab countries given the centrality that freshwater scarcity and water security play in advancing sustainable development in the region.

Our approach

At its twelfth session, the ESCWA Committee on Water Resources adopted a recommendation requesting ESCWA to support the Water Action Decade. At its thirteenth session, the Committee requested that ESCWA support member States in their work under the International Decade for Action, participate in Cairo Water Week and in other regional events related to climate change and water, and encourage youth participation therein.

Moreover, the Regional Preparatory Meeting on Water Issues, which was convened a week after the launch of the Water Action Decade and informed the 2018 Arab Forum on Sustainable Development and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, resulted in an outcome document that consolidated regional views and priorities on water-related issues facing the Arab region.

Our partners

Our activities

ESCWA is actively engaging in various activities in support of the Water Action Decade, which includes preparations for the UN 2023 Water Conference. ESCWA is also heavily involved in regional forums, initiatives, networks and other mechanisms that are contributing to the objectives of the Decade. This includes engaging regional stakeholders and preparing the regional contribution to the midterm comprehensive review report, based on progress achieved, lessons learned, and challenges affecting the achievements of water-related SDGs in the region. 

In this context, ESCWA and LAS are implementing the Arab Initiative for Mobilizing Climate Finance for Water which is a Water Action Agenda commitment aiming to strengthen regional capacity to mobilize climate finance for integrated water resources management, transboundary water cooperation and climate-smart practices across water-related sectors.

A Regional Roadmap visualization is available, as well as a booklet. More information on the Water Action Decade.