Publications
Water: Let the knowledge flow!
©FAO/Michael Tewelde
Water is fundamental – and a right. But its provision may be slowing down to a trickle. Decades of increased freshwater withdrawal, overextraction of groundwater, poor management, and misuse and contamination of freshwater ecosystems have intensified water stress and degraded water-related ecosystems.
Under the theme of "Accelerating change", World Water Day 2023 (22 March) and the UN 2023 Water Conference mark the importance of taking action to achieve water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – most crucially, universal and equitable access to safe and affordable water.
Want to know more? Tap into a wealth of FAO publications on the topic.
The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR)
The 2023 edition of the UN WWDR focuses on “Partnerships and Cooperation for Water”, showing how building partnerships and enhancing cooperation across all dimensions of sustainable development are essential to accelerate progress towards water goals and targets, and human rights to water and sanitation.
The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW) 2021: Systems at breaking point – Synthesis report
This report highlights the major risks and trends related to soil, land and water, and presents means of resolving competition among uses and generating multiple benefits for people and the environment. Available in all official UN languages as well as in a device-friendly format. Full report available in here.
Water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and wastewater management to prevent infections and reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
This brief presents a menu of actions for consideration and refinement in specific country contexts as well as policy options and technical resources to support national action plans.
Rome Water Dialogue, 29 November 2022
In the lead-up to the UN 2023 Water Conference, this event, led by FAO, raises awareness of water’s role in achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals, including the associated economic, social and environmental aspects and the importance of developing National Water Roadmaps to strengthen the inter-sectoral coordination on sustainable water resources management and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at national level.
Further reading
- The FAO action plan on antimicrobial resistance 2021-2025
- Smart Irrigation – Smart WASH: solutions in response to the pandemic crisis in Africa
- The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2020
- Progress on change in water-use efficiency - Global status and acceleration needs for SDG indicator 6.4.1
- Progress on level of water stress - Global status and acceleration needs for SDG indicator 6.4.2
- Sustainable management of freshwater resources for food and nutrition security in Small Island Developing States
- Circular sanitation economies for more resilient and sustainable food systems - Future proofing agriculture systems
- Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Sustainable management and conservation of land, water and biodiversity
- Nature-based solutions in agriculture: The case and pathway for adoption
- Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Project design for securing investment
- Nature-Based Solutions for agricultural water management and food security
Additional resources