Water is not merely a resource; it is fundamental to human welfare, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. A key challenge for international development lies in how individuals and organizations can effectively utilize expertise, knowledge, and investments to sustain water resources, enhance access to water, and assist communities in developing and implementing comprehensive approaches and frameworks to address water challenges in an integrated and sustainable manner and achieve a water-secure future for all. Achieving SDG6 specifically requires enhanced implementation of integrated water resources management at all levels and transboundary cooperation.
Objectives
The Water Law Working Group aims to establish a global network of water law experts and create a collaborative forum for addressing critical issues in water law and governance. Its objectives include developing knowledge and legal solutions to existing and emerging water challenges; making water law knowledge more accessible to practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders; providing a collaborative space for experts and practitioners to connect, exchange knowledge and best practices, and co-create legal and governance solutions for water sustainability; and supporting processes to enhance the capacities of countries and organizations to achieve water-related sustainable development goals and promote equitable and sustainable management of water resources and connected ecosystems.
These objectives will be pursued through:
- Research and Publications: Develop and disseminate solution-oriented research papers, reports, guidance notes, toolkits, and policy recommendations on various facets of water law and governance.
- Facilitate Research and Knowledge Exchange: Promote research and dialogue on national and international water law and governance between experts, practitioners, and researchers.
- Webinars and Workshops: Facilitate and participate in webinars, workshops, seminars, and conferences for knowledge exchange, including collaborative events with partner organizations where feasible.
- Global Network: Establish a network for collaboration and knowledge exchange, and create a comprehensive database of water law experts hosted at the World Bank.
- Partnerships: Foster collaboration and promote partnerships across countries, regions, and sectors, as well as national and global water institutions, to comprehensively address challenges related to water law and governance.
