Stakeholder Declaration for the 2026 UN Water Conference and Beyond
A first draft has been developed by drafting groups comprising all stakeholder groups and is published here for review.
How to give feedback on the first draft
Stakeholder networks, institutions and individuals are invited to review the first draft. There are three ways to take part.
Why we are speaking with one voice
We, stakeholder groups, organisations, movements and individuals, come together across sectors and regions to state what should no longer need repeating: access to safe water and sanitation is a human right, recognised by the UN General Assembly in 2010, and still unmet for billions of people.
The 2023 UN Water Conference broke a fifty-year silence on water at the UN's highest level. It produced hundreds of voluntary commitments and a Water Action Agenda — but no body to track them, no dedicated financing mechanism, and no seat at the table for the communities and organisations doing the work on the ground.
The 2026 Conference is the next opportunity to close that gap. This Declaration sets out what stakeholders expect from it — and from the UN system in the years that follow, so that "beyond" means accountability rather than another conference.
- Lead
- Johannes RueckSecretariat / German WASH Network
- Co-Lead
- Sareen MalikSecretariat / ANEW
Six chapters, six calls
Each chapter of the Declaration ends in one call to member states and the UN system, and is drafted by a lead and a co-lead from the stakeholder community.
Chapter 1
The value and role of stakeholders
Recognise stakeholders as essential partners in sustainable water governance, implementation and accountability.
- Lead
- Andrea CaceresThe AWA Project
- Co-Lead
- Wiseman MkhizeAfrican Global Networks
Chapter 2
Stakeholder expectations towards a permanent intergovernmental water process
Build a permanent intergovernmental water process that provides continuity, sustained political attention and accountability beyond periodic conferences.
- Lead
- Coline ArnouxButterfly Effect / International Secretariat for Water
- Co-Lead
- Dinesh SunaEcumenical Water Network of the World Council of Churches
Chapter 3
A structured stakeholder mechanism in global water governance
Replace ad hoc consultation with predictable, meaningful and inclusive participation that enables joint implementation and accountability.
- Lead
- Yolanda Lopez-MaldonadoIndigenous Science
- Co-Lead
- Sandra MetayerCoalition Eau
Chapter 4
Stakeholder priorities on water, including beyond 2030
Keep water a visible and distinct priority in future global sustainable development frameworks.
- Lead
- Ibrahim Al-QadhiBlue Community Global Network
- Co-Lead
- August Abdon KingloInternational Water Association - Young Water Professional, Burkina Faso
Chapter 5
Joint implementation of commitments and initiatives
Connect and align existing commitments and initiatives, and implement them together to accelerate impact.
- Lead
- Salimah Jaulim IslamCap Business Océan Indien
- Co-Lead
- Lobna JeribiSolidar Tunisia
Chapter 6
Accountability and learning
Make sure commitments translate into tangible results, and use learning to improve them over time.
- Lead
- Zikora IbehCorporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
- Co-Lead
- Simi MishraRe:Gen Collective
From design workshop to launch in Abu Dhabi
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Design Workshop on Stakeholder Declaration
World Water Week
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Global Kick-Off
Virtual Meeting
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Selection of Coordinators and Drafting Leads
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Stakeholder Declaration Review I
First Draft
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Global Consultation
Virtual Meeting
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Stakeholder Declaration Review II
Second Draft
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Declaration Endorsement
Sign-on
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Declaration Launch
UN Water Conference, Abu Dhabi
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Stand behind this Declaration
Organisations, networks and individuals will be able to endorse the Declaration ahead of its launch at the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. The endorsement phase will open as soon as the Declaration is final, and by 24 November at the latest.