UN-Water

30/09/2026

🔬 WHO is calling for experts in wastewater and environmental surveillance for public health.

The new Technical Advisory Group will provide independent scientific, technical and operational advice on how wastewater and environmental surveillance can support public health decision-making.

Experts from a range of relevant fields and geographical, income and operational settings are encouraged to apply.

📅 Applications close 9 October 2026.

Learn more and apply: https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/call-for-expressions-of-interest--technical-advisory-group-on-wastewater-and-environmental-surveillance-for-public-health

28/09/2026

📢 WHO public consultation open

WHO is seeking feedback on its draft Preferred Pathway Characteristics for wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES).

The consultation will help ensure the final guidance reflects broad expert input and provides clear direction for optimizing WES systems for pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential.

Researchers, public health officials, implementers, funders, product developers and other interested stakeholders are invited to contribute.

📅 Deadline: 2 October 2026

Learn more and contribute:
https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/public-consultation-on-draft-version-of-the-preferred-pathway-characteristics-for-optimizing-wastewater-and-environmental-surveillance-for-one-or-more-pathogens-of-epidemic-and-pandemic-potential

Wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) has emerged as an important complement to clinical and laboratory-based surveillance for monitoring infectious pathogens at the population level.  Recently, there has been a growing interest in enhancing efficiency and broadening surveillance impact b...

28/09/2026

💧 Registration is open for the 2026 UN Water Conference!

Accredited stakeholders can now request registration to attend the Conference in person from 8–10 December 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Applications are also open to organize virtual side events alongside the official programme.

📅 Virtual side event applications close 16 October
📅 Stakeholder registration closes 6 November

Co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, the Conference aims to accelerate action on and elevate water-related issues on the international agenda.

Find out more and apply 🔗 https://www.unwater.org/news/2026-un-water-conference-registration-and-virtual-side-event-applications-open

26/09/2026

Positive action on freshwater is positive action for the ocean, and our response should reflect the water cycle itself: connected, circular and built for people and planet.

In a new World Economic Forum blog, Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean, and Retno L. P. Marsudi, UN Special Envoy on Water, make the case for managing freshwater and the ocean as one hydrological cycle.

💧 Freshwater generates an estimated $58 trillion in annual economic value.
💧 80% of global trade by volume is transported by sea.
💧 Around 4 billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least part of the year.

As part of the , the article highlights practical opportunities to connect policy, finance and implementation across the full water cycle, from basin resilience and water reuse to desalination, ocean observation and source-to-sea management.

Learn more: https://www.unwater.org/news/year-water-highlights-connection-between-freshwater-and-ocean-action

25/09/2026

💧 Accelerating water action through stronger collaboration

A new white paper launched by United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the United Nations Global Compact explores how countries, the UN and the private sector can combine their strengths to accelerate progress on water and sanitation.

The paper sets out five partnership models for collaboration, covering water finance, delivery of solutions, market standards, innovation and shared resilience.

With the private sector currently accounting for just 9% of Agenda commitments, there is significant scope for stronger engagement – bringing together the UN’s expertise and convening role with private-sector finance, technology, innovation and implementation capabilities.

The 2026 UN Water Conference provides an opportunity to turn these pathways into concrete partnerships for .

Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7509226677877628928

25/09/2026

💧 How can wastewater reuse help address growing water stress?

Ahead of , join the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) for a webinar exploring how treated wastewater can become part of the water mix and support integrated water resources management.

The discussion will look at opportunities and challenges for connecting wastewater reuse across urban and rural areas, agriculture, industry and the environment.

📅 3 November 2026
🕒 15:00–16:45 CET
🌍 Available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese

Register: https://us.list-manage.com/10C4lkcWHWr?e=8e9dddcb87&c2id=c97d9212f9b397a51b928d9b7d29d906

24/09/2026

23/09/2026

1.7 billion people lacked basic hygiene services in 2024.

Only 49% of healthcare facilities had improved toilets with menstrual hygiene facilities in 2025.

These gaps have gender-specific consequences – affecting the health, safety, dignity and opportunities of women and girls.

Ahead of , the message is clear: Safe toilets. Equal futures.

🔗 Explore the in the Gender Snapshot 2026 report: https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/explainer/the-womens-leadership-gap-that-we-should-all-be-talking-about
🚽 Learn more about the World Toilet Day campaign: https://www.worldtoiletday.org/

23/09/2026

🚽 Safe toilets mean education.

Every child needs access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene at school. But progress is not yet fast enough to achieve universal access by 2030.

At current rates, by 2030 an estimated 84% of schools will have basic drinking water, 81% basic sanitation and 79% basic hygiene services.

A new report looks at progress from 2015–2025 and what needs to happen next.

🔗 Read the report: https://www.unwater.org/publications/progress-drinking-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-schools-20152025

22/09/2026

💧 Water and sanitation are in focus at UN General Assembly High-level Week 2026.

Throughout the week in New York, governments, UN organizations and partners are coming together to discuss water investment, climate resilience, humanitarian settings, AI and innovation, private-sector action and international cooperation.

These conversations are helping build momentum towards the 2026 UN Water Conference in December and accelerate progress on SDG 6 – water and sanitation for all.

See the water-related events taking place during
🔗 https://www.unwater.org/news/water-and-sanitation-focus-un-general-assembly-high-level-week-2026