Driving progress on IWRM: Insights from the 2023 data drive

/ Global, Region-Global
Between 2017 and 2023, global performance on implementing integrated water resources management (IWRM) increased from 49% to 57%. However, the current rate of progress would need to at least double in order to meet the 2030 goal on clean water and sanitation (SDG 6).

Advancing water security – 2023 reporting round | Highlights from the countries | Pilot use of the online IWRM Survey tool | Leveraging support from partners | Feedback from participants of stakeholder consultations | Learn more about the SDG 6.5.1 assessment methodology | What’s next

As part of efforts aiming to achieve SDG 6, in 2023, UN Member States took stock of their progress towards implementation of IWRM, through SDG indicator 6.5.1. Given the pressing need to accelerate progress, the 2023 monitoring process highlighted both the challenges countries face, but also the mechanisms through which some countries have progressed, as opportunities for cross-country learning.

Advancing water security

Under UNEP’s guidance and coordinated by GWP, in collaboration with UNEP-DHI and UNDP Cap-Net, the SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme assists governments to advance water security by crafting and executing country-specific strategies for SDG indicator 6.5.1, focusing on IWRM implementation. Through a multi-stakeholder approach, it generates vital monitoring data at the country level, every three years, addressing challenges and fostering government-led processes to prioritise integrated responses. Finally, it supports implementation of identified solutions to achieve progress towards SDG 6, harnessing multiple funding sources for increased collective impact. 

2023 Reporting Round


In the 2023 reporting round, the Support Programme directly assisted 67 countries in facilitating national multi-stakeholder consultations to assess and report on their progress on SDG indicator 6.5.1, as well as indirectly supporting many others.

The consultations aimed to bring together the perspectives of different stakeholder groups to provide a consensual response to the survey on SDG indicator 6.5.1, evaluating the country’s degree of IWRM implementation. The consultation process fostered inclusive stakeholder engagement and cross-sectoral collaboration, aiming to strengthen national monitoring efforts and drive tangible progress towards achieving the 2030 goals.

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