External Mid-term Review of UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6

The UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 (IMI-SDG6) has divided its work into four phases (2015-2018, 2019-2022, 2023-2026 and 2027-2030) and for each phase, an external mid-term review is conducted, to gather feedback on the performance and operations in order to guide the planning for subsequent phases.

This mid-term review assessed the work of Phase 2 of IMI-SDG6, between January 2019 and February 2022. Evidence was gathered from a review of documentation, appraisal of the logical framework and other key project documents, attendance at the 2nd Global Workshop for SDG 6 monitoring (online), and numerous stakeholder interviews.

The Review provides a balanced and properly justified analysis together with a sound set of recommendations that will help to improve the effectiveness of IMI-SDG6’s work. The Review confirms that IMI-SDG6 is relevant in its design and implementation, that it is showing positive signs of intended impact in terms of indicator-specific support to UN Member States and in terms of the reporting of most of the global indicators. It also notes the relevance and impact of the ‘flagship’ products of IMI-SDG6, including the SDG 6 Data Portal, SDG 6 Synthesis Reports, and indicator-specific progress reports.

The Review provided particular value through its interviews and feedback from numerous country stakeholders, which provide a critical insight at this point in the Initiative’s lifecycle. IMI-SDG6 appreciates the recommendations made and looks forward to taking the necessary measures to address them, helping guide the development of Phase 3 of the Initiative.