New data on global progress towards ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030

The UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 has gathered the latest country, region and world data on all the global indicators for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which is to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030. In a new summary progress update, launched on 4 March 2021, the initiative outlines where the world is lagging behind and where accelerated efforts are needed.

In 2020, UN-Water’s Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 (IMI-SDG6) collected the latest available data from nearly 200 countries on the global indicators for SDG 6, which cover various aspects of the water cycle from drinking water and sanitation to wastewater and transboundary cooperation.

The result is the Summary Progress Update 2021 on SDG 6, which provides a clear snapshot of global progress towards each indicator and gives a breakdown of the status and trends at the regional and country level.

The primary aim of this update is to help shape an evidenced-based discussion on acceleration to take place at the upcoming high-level meeting on the “Implementation of the Water-related Goals and Targets of the 2030 Agenda” on 18 March 2021.

In the foreword to the update, Gilbert F. Houngbo, UN-Water Chair and President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, said: “Even before COVID struck, the world was off track to meet SDG 6 – the goal of ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.”

“This report shows that we need to do more, much more quickly. Making sure that there is water and sanitation for all people, for all purposes, by 2030 will help future-proof global society against the many and varied threats coming down the line.”

“This document will help base decision making on reliable and up-to-date evidence
to ensure the greatest possible gains. The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of our shared vulnerability and common destiny. Let us ‘build back better’ by ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.”

• Read the report here.
• See the stories here.
• Explore the data here.
• See a presentation of the report by the UN agencies here.