Sanitation and Water for All - a UNICEF-hosted global partnership

Last April, together with UNICEF and hosted by the InterAmerican Development Bank, SWA convened a Finance Ministers’ Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean as well as a Sector Ministers’ Dialogue. Participants shared strategies for enhancing domestic resources and building partnerships in financing, among other needs. Please join us August 21 to further these discussions with leaders from Brazil, Argentina and Peru. Sign up here for Cause for Hope: Working Together to Achieve the SDGs: https://lnkd.in/gkpmbv7A... (Photo: Laura Chincilla, former president of Costa Rica and SWA Global Leadership Council Member, speaks at the April meeting)

Our 2023 Africa Finance Ministers' Meeting (FMM) underscored the critical importance of mobilizing domestic resources, fostering partnerships, and enhancing the enabling environment for water and sanitation sectors across Africa. Funding needs to be at least three times higher in Africa to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal targets. However, this is far less than the $170 billion – nearly 5% of GDP – lost by sub-Saharan African each year due to inadequate water resources, contaminated water and poor sanitation. By mid-century, the economic toll from water-related climate impacts on African nations could reach $50 billion annually. Every dollar invested in climate-resilient water and sanitation in Africa yields a return of at least $7.　 Finance ministers discussed several approaches that can close the investment gap for water and sanitation: • Increasing the national budget allocation for water and sanitation to 5% and 0.5%, respectively. • Partnering with development banks to secure long-term finance that aligns with universal water and sanitation access goals. • Ensuring that sufficient finance is available for universal access to safely managed sanitation – a key development indicator that significantly reduces the public health burden. • Investing in climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure by tapping into climate finance. • Reducing debt and ensuring African nations can access a fair share of Special Drawing Rights. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gUGkn73A

SWA, UNICEF, and AMCOW joined forces at the Africa Finance Ministers' Meeting in October 2023 to address critical water and sanitation challenges in the region. Ministers, donors, UN agencies, and youth leaders convened to discuss mobilizing resources, improving efficiencies, and fostering partnerships for sustainable development. Throughout 2023, SWA's partnership focused on closing investment gaps and promoting sustainable finance globally, guided by principles that prioritize sustainability and human rights in water, sanitation and hygiene investments. Discover how SWA and partners are driving impactful investments in water and sanitation: https://lnkd.in/gUGkn73A

SWA continues to strengthen its global impact by enhancing the capacity of its diverse constituencies. Our partnerships with governments, civil society, research institutions, utilities/regulators, private sector, and support agencies empower us to drive sustainable change in the water and sanitation sector. In 2023, SWA welcomed 40 new partners, expanding our network and bolstering our collective efforts. Learn how SWA and its constituencies are advancing global access to safe water and sanitation: https://lnkd.in/gUGkn73A

SWA's commitment to supporting partners at the country level is driving tangible impacts in global water and sanitation efforts. In 2023, we supported 24 priority countries with tailored technical assistance and strategic planning. This focused approach, aligned with our Strategic Framework 2020-2030, has strengthened climate action, multi-stakeholder platforms, and sector governance. Learn more about SWA's direct engagement and impact in priority countries: https://lnkd.in/gUGkn73A

At Sanitation and Water for All, partnerships drive our mission to ensure global access to safe water and sanitation. In 2023, we welcomed 40 new partners, expanding our network to over 400 stakeholders worldwide. Our efforts supported countries like Guatemala, India, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal in advancing water and sanitation initiatives through strategic engagements and catalytic funding. Learn more in our 2023 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/gUGkn73A

SWA’s Mutual Accountability Mechanism (MAM) gained significant traction in 2023 as a key global accountability tool for achieving the water and sanitation targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This momentum was driven by our active role at the UN Water Conference, where we put the MAM at the disposal of all sector actors to monitor commitments under the Water Action Agenda. As of December 2023, 11 SWA partners had agreed to table over 20 new MAM commitments in direct support of the Water Action Agenda – marking the first MAM commitments for six of them. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gUGkn73A

📢 HAPPENING TODAY! Webinar on How Finance Ministers Can Achieve the SDGs!  🔗 https://lnkd.in/gFWaTdzp Minister Pal Mai Deng from #SouthSudan will open the session! He’ll be talking about his country's new Presidential Compact and how it’s pushing forward water and sanitation efforts. 🗓️ 30 July 🕒 13:30 – 15:00 CET This is your chance to hear from leaders and experts, including representatives from #Uganda, #DRC, and the African Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation, plus the The World Bank and the Green Climate Fund. We’re diving into how Finance Ministers can help hit those crucial SDG 6 targets and sharing real stories of progress and collaboration. Let’s come together and make a difference. See you there! #SDG6 #GlobalGoals #SWAinAction 

The SWA partnership is driving solutions to ensure access to safe water and sanitation, even in a changing climate. In 2023, we integrated climate commitments into national strategies and represented the sector at COP28 in Dubai to support the inclusion of water and sanitation targets in the Global Goal on Adaptation. Our Climate Compendium, developed with the UN Race to Resilience, features over 30 case studies that highlight the critical role of water and sanitation in climate adaptation and mitigation. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gUGkn73A

The SWA partnership joined the UN 2023 Water Conference, advocating for a 'Triple A' approach: Ambition, Action and Accountability on water and sanitation. We also championed human rights and called for robust multi-stakeholder processes. SWA’s Mutual Accountability Mechanism (MAM) supported the conference’s ‘Water Action Agenda’. As a result, SWA has put the MAM at the disposal of all sector actors to contribute to the tracking of Water Action Agenda commitments on water, sanitation and hygiene. Discover how the SWA partnershipcontinues to lead in accountability and sustainable development. Learn more in our 2023 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/gUGkn73A