31 Aug 2026
SDG6: Clean water and sanitation
Access to clean water and sanitation has improved in the last decades, yet, the changes in climate and temperatures are increasing the number of countries where water stress is a reality. Achieving this objective requires bold action to restore water ecosystems, improve efficient water management, support developing countries in improving access to water, and to reach universal sanitation and hygiene. Water and sanitation are recognized by the United Nations as human rights, reflecting the fundamental nature of these basics in every person's life. In Geneva, water is discussed in various fora (human rights, humanitarian, health, meteorology, nature conservation, economy, etc.) and numerous organizations (UN, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, academic) focus on water issues, making this region a strategic hub for global water governance.
Updates
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19 Aug 2026
Protecting the Environment in Armed Conflict
12 Aug 2026
The Water Cycle and the Role of Geneva
Organizations
Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
Aarhus Convention
Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
Water Convention
Intergovernmental Organizations
United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries
UN-REDD
Experts
Christian Bréthaut
Christian Bréthaut is Scientific Director at the Geneva Water Hub.
Laurence Boisson de Chazournes
Laurence Boisson de Chazournes is a Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva.
Mara Tignino
Mara Tignino is a Reader at the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva and the Lead Legal Specialist of the Platform for International Water Law at Geneva Water Hub.
Natasha Carmi
Natasha Carmi is Lead Water Specialist at the Geneva Water Hub.
Noelia Garcia Nebra
Noelia Garcia Nebra is Head of sustainability at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Otto Simonett
Otto Simonett is the Director of Zoï Environment Network.
Sonja Köppel
Sonja Köppel is the Secretary of the Water Convention.Events
Body Meeting
Meeting of the Bureau of the Water Convention
05 – 06 Oct 2026
Palais des Nation
Water Convention
Body Meeting
6th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Sustainable Financing under the Water Convention
06 Oct 2026 | 13:00 – 17:30
Palais des Nations | Room H-207-208-209 & Online
Water Convention
Body Meeting
21st meeting of the Working Group on Integrated Water Resources Management
07 – 09 Oct 2026
Palais des Nations
Water Convention
Body Meeting
68th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on Wetlands (SC68)
15 – 19 Mar 2027
Gland
Ramsar Convention
Learning
Course in Geneva
Law, Policy and Science in Environmental Peacebuilding Training
12 – 16 Oct 2026
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Geneva Water Hub, UNIGE, Slovenia
Online Course
Introductory Course to the International Legal Framework on Freshwater Resources
InforMEA
Online Course
Local Water Solutions for Global Challenges
UNITAR, Gaia Education, University of Strathclyde
Publications
Report
Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post-Crisis Era
2026
UNU-INWEH
