UN-Water

14/10/2026

Water resilience starts with collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.

The 7th IAHR Africa Congress will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 8–11 December 2026, bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, industry representatives and young water professionals to exchange solutions to Africa's most pressing water challenges.

Under the theme "Water Resilience & Innovation", the Congress will explore topics including water resources management, climate change adaptation, and the links between water, energy, food security and ecosystems.

📢 The call for extended abstracts is now open. Researchers and practitioners are invited to share innovations and best practices that support resilient and sustainable water futures across Africa.

Read more and register ⬇️

The Congress will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, industry representatives and young water professionals from across Africa and beyond to exchange knowledge and explore solutions to pressing water and environmental challenges. Discussions will focus on water resources manage...

14/10/2026

Did you know that wasting food also means wasting water?

Every day, the world wastes more than one billion meals. And every meal wasted means precious water used to grow and produce that food has gone to waste too.

Agriculture is the world's biggest user of freshwater, so reducing food waste is one simple way we can all help protect our water resources.

This , let's take action!

🥕 Buy only what you need.
🍲 Enjoy your leftovers.
🌱 Choose more water-efficient foods.

Less food waste = less water waste. 💧


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14/10/2026

💧 Water, sanitation and health: Connecting science, policy and practice.

From 26–30 October, the UNC Water & Health Conference will bring together experts from around the world to discuss solutions for improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and protecting public health.

WHO will contribute to discussions on drinking-water quality, climate resilience, menstrual health, WASH monitoring, and safe water and sanitation in schools and health care facilities.

The programme also includes a WHO-led session on the future of its Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.

🌍 Can't make it to North Carolina? Selected sessions will be available online, with free virtual registration.

👉 Register here https://register.waterandhealthconference.com/register/
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13/10/2026

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Water and biodiversity are deeply connected. Healthy rivers, lakes, wetlands and other freshwater ecosystems support life – while healthy ecosystems help protect the water resources people and nature depend on.

From 19–30 October, the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) will bring governments and stakeholders together in Yerevan, Armenia, to advance implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

💧 24 October: Water and Biodiversity Day at the Global Biodiversity Framework Pavilion.

Learn more: https://cop17yerevan.am/en

13/10/2026

🧼 Be a Handwashing Hero!

Did you know that 1 in 5 people worldwide still lack a place to wash their hands with soap and water at home?

Handwashing with soap helps prevent diseases, saves lives and keeps families and communities healthy.

On , 15 October, we celebrate the people who make handwashing an everyday practice that protects health.

Whether at home, at school, at work or in health care facilities, everyone can help make handwashing a healthy habit.

➡️ https://www.unwater.org/news/global-handwashing-day-2026-be-handwashing-hero

13/10/2026

💧 Three briefings on the human rights to water and sanitation

How can we strengthen global water governance, protect access to water and sanitation in Amazonia, and safeguard these essential human rights during conflict?

Join UN Special Rapporteur Pedro Arrojo-Agudo on 15–16 October, in Geneva or online, for the launch of three Policy Briefs.

📅 Thursday, 15 October
• 10:00 – Global Water Governance
• 15:00 – Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation in Amazonia

📅 Friday, 16 October
• 10:00 – Human Rights to Water and Sanitation During Conflict

All times are Geneva local time (CEST).

🔗 Join the online briefings:

Briefing on global water governance https://ungeneva-vc.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/ungeneva-vc/meeting/download/7c27182ef46a40a9ac90e029d7c6acf0?MTID=m0ca27511fbb5a7ad7426acdee5463252
Briefing on human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation in Amazonia https://ungeneva-vc.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/ungeneva-vc/meeting/download/12a65a7e059a477a9a01d3816e8d88bd?MTID=m560d1309c720d64c80780ea2b5295c56
Briefing on human rights to water and sanitation during conflict https://ungeneva-vc.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/ungeneva-vc/meeting/download/cc110f2c7de24d169ee4f84e55d2d83e?MTID=m3907c4b1075f9c149aecee5

12/10/2026

Safe toilets mean health.

1 in 5 people still lack a place to wash their hands with soap and water at home.
Safe sanitation and hygiene help prevent diseases and protect communities. For women and girls, they also support healthier pregnancies, better menstrual hygiene, and uninterrupted education and work.

Investing in toilets, water and hygiene supports healthier homes, schools, workplaces and health care facilities.

What do safe toilets mean to you?
Join us this
🚽 www.worldtoiletday.org

11/10/2026

🚽 This International Day of the Girl, stand with girls.

Champion the solutions that help girls stay in school, stay safe and shape their own futures.

Safe toilets are part of that. Access to safe, private and accessible sanitation – including facilities to manage menstruation safely and with dignity – helps protect girls’ health, safety, dignity and education.

But building equal futures also means listening to girls and what they say they need.

🎥 Listen to girls speak out about their experiences, priorities and hopes for the future: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k11/k11cca39ty

🚽 Safe toilets. Equal futures.

10/10/2026

How much water does artificial intelligence use?

A new report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) explores the growing environmental footprint of AI.

By 2030, the electricity powering global data centres could reach 945 terawatt-hours each year. The associated water footprint would equal the basic annual domestic water needs of 1.3 billion people in sub-Saharan Africa, while the land footprint would exceed 14,500 km².

The report highlights the importance of considering carbon, water and land impacts together when planning AI infrastructure and resource use.

Read more ⬇️

By 2030, the electricity powering global data centres could reach 945 terawatt-hours, according to a new report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH). The associated water footprint would equal the basic annual domestic water needs of 1.3 billion....

09/10/2026

Water quality is both a reflection and a driver of inequality.

A new report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), drawing on data from 138 countries, shows how poor water quality disproportionately affects vulnerable communities and reinforces existing social inequalities.

The report calls for stronger governance, equitable investment and environmental justice to improve water quality and support progress in health, education, gender equality and climate resilience.

📖 Read more: https://www.unwater.org/news/unu-inweh-report-water-quality

Released as the institute marks its 30th anniversary, Water Quality: A Mirror and Magnifier of Structural Inequalities and Social Injustice draws on data from 138 countries across the Global South. The report finds that degraded water quality is increasingly a chronic challenge rather than an isolat...