Water Wheel September/October 2020

Abstract

There is a high probability that SDG 6, the goal for water and sanitation, will be further delayed. Depending on the global recovery time from the crisis, this could be for a long time. In this flurry of emergency responses, it is important to note that we also have the opportunity to do the opposite. We can, in fact, accelerate our efforts toward the SDGs in the medium term, and be firmly on the pathway to sustainable development and a lower carbon economy in the long term. This is the moment when, in many countries in the world, unsafe water and poor sanitation are key Covid risk factors on the one hand, and core to the containment and recovery strategy on the other. The UN system, with UN Water as the anchor, has launched the Global Acceleration Framework and the Decade of Action to nudge world leaders to achieve SDG 6 in its entirety by 2030. The timing is opportune as water and sanitation matters are enjoying political attention in the public sector and huge focus in the private sector.

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