UN World Water Development Report

The United Nations World Water Development Report (UN WWDR) is a global report that provides an authoritative and comprehensive assessment of the world’s freshwater resources. It is produced annually by the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) and published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water.

The report examines how the world’s water resources are being managed and addresses the diverse water challenges faced by different regions around the globe. It highlights pressing global water issues such as access to clean water and sanitation, while also exploring cross-cutting topics like energy, climate change, agriculture, and urban growth. Additionally, the report offers recommendations for managing freshwater resources in a more sustainable manner.

The content of the report is the result of collaboration among various UN agencies that make up UN-Water, alongside contributions from governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.

From 2003 through to 2012, the UN WWDR was produced and released every three years, following a comprehensive approach. As of 2014, the UN WWDR transformed into an annual, thematic report, focused on a different strategic water issue each year. Starting with the fourth edition in 2012, the WWDR has incorporated a gender perspective to align with UNESCO’s priorities, dedicating chapters or sections specifically to discuss the significance of gender issues in water management.

The following table outlines the key themes explored in the UN WWDR from 2003 through 2025:

No.	Year	Report
1	2025		Mountains and glaciers: Water towers[1]
2	2024		Water for Prosperity and Peace[2]
3	2023		Partnerships and cooperation for water[3]
4	2022		Groundwater: Making the invisible visible[4]
5	2021		Valuing Water[5]
6	2020		Water and Climate Change[6]
7	2019		Leaving no one behind[7]
8	2018		Nature-based Solutions for Water[8]
9	2017		Wastewater: An untapped resource[9]
10	2016		Water and Jobs[10]
11	2015		Water for a sustainable world[11]
12	2014		Water and Energy[12]
13	2012		Managing Water under Uncertainty and Risk[13]
14	2009		Water in a Changing World[14]
15	2006		Water, a Shared Responsibility[15]
16	2003		Water for People, Water for Life[16]

In 1998, during the Sixth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, the need for regular, global assessments of freshwater resources was highlighted. In response to this call, UNESCO established the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) that is tasked to produce the World Water Development Report (WWDR) in collaboration with the member organizations of what is now known as UN-Water (then the ACC Subcommittee on Water Resources). Initially, the report was triennial, that provided a comprehensive overview of the state of global freshwater resources and tracked progress towards water-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In response to this call, the member organizations of what is now known as UN-Water (then the ACC Subcommittee on Water Resources) initiated the production of the World Water Development Report (WWDR). The initial goal was to publish the report every three years, providing a comprehensive overview of the state of global freshwater resources and tracking progress towards water-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

As global water challenges became more urgent and complex, the need for more frequent updates led to a shift in 2014, when the WWDR transitioned to an annual publication. Each year, the report now focuses on a specific strategic issue, addressing the evolving landscape.

Its overall objective is “to meet the growing requirements of UN Member States and the international community for a wider range of policy-relevant, timely and reliable information in various fields of water resources developments and management, in particular through the production of the United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR)”. Through the WWDRs and complementary activities, WWAP aims to equip water managers and policy- and decision-makers with knowledge, tools and skills necessary to formulate and implement sustainable water policies.

The sixteenth report, "Mountains and Glaciers: Water Towers", was launched on 21 March 2025 at both UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and the United Nations Headquarters in New York, coinciding with the inaugural World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day. This edition underscores the critical role of mountain regions and glaciers as the planet's "water towers", supplying freshwater to billions of people downstream. It highlights the accelerating impacts of climate change on the cryosphere, including rapid glacier retreat, diminishing snow cover, and permafrost thaw, which threaten global water security, ecosystem stability, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on these water sources.

The report emphasizes the necessity for urgent climate action, enhanced monitoring, and international cooperation to safeguard these vital freshwater reserves. It also calls for the development of adaptation strategies and sustainable water management policies to address the challenges posed by the changing mountain cryosphere. By providing comprehensive data and analysis, the report aims to inform policymakers and stakeholders in their efforts to ensure water availability and sustainable management in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

• Full report
• Executive Summary
• Facts, figures and action examples

The fifteenth report, "Water for Prosperity and Peace", was presented at the pivotal World Water Day celebration event in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 22 March 2024. "Water for Prosperity and Peace" emphasizes the critical role of safe drinking water and sanitation as fundamental human rights essential for a dignified and healthy life.

It stresses that sustainable and equitable water management can foster peace and prosperity, especially in fragile contexts, by supporting agriculture, promoting community stability, and aiding in disaster risk reduction and migration management. Conversely, issues such as water scarcity, pollution, or inaccessibility can lead to food insecurity, lost livelihoods, and potential conflict.

The 2024 Report underscores the vital importance of water in uniting people and advancing peace, sustainable development, climate action, and regional integration. The report explores how effective water management is essential for achieving global prosperity and stability, aligning with the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) to ensure water and sanitation for all.

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• Executive Summary
• Facts, figures and action examples

The fourteenth report, "Partnerships and Cooperation for Water", was launched at the opening day of the United Nations 2023 Water Conference held in New York, United States in March 2023. The 2023 edition emphasizes the critical role of partnerships and cooperation in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) and fulfilling the human rights to water and sanitation.

The report highlights that current progress towards achieving SDG 6 is significantly lagging, with a need for accelerated action across various sectors, including agriculture, environment, human settlements, industry, health, and climate change. It aligns with the five 'accelerators' of the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework — capacity development, data and information, innovation, financing, and governance — offering recommendations to policymakers for expediting and scaling up efforts.

The theme of the 2023 Report provided input for discussions on "Water for Cooperation", which was one of the five interactive dialogues of the UN 2023 Water Conference, the first major UN event focused on water since 1977.

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The thirteenth report, "Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible", was disclosed at the opening ceremony of the World Water Forum held in Dakar, Senegal in March 2022. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2022 focuses on the critical role of groundwater, which constitutes about 99% of all liquid freshwater on Earth.

The report highlights groundwater's essential contributions to drinking water supplies, especially for rural populations, and its significant use in agriculture, providing around 25% of irrigation water globally. Despite its importance, groundwater is often undervalued and poorly managed. The report emphasizes the need for better understanding and sustainable management of this resource to support poverty alleviation, food and water security, economic development, and climate resilience.

It calls for concerted efforts to make this "invisible" resource visible, ensuring its sustainable use and protection for future generations.

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The twelfth report, "Valuing Water", was released at the United Nations World Water Day celebration in March 2021. Valuing Water explores the critical importance of recognizing and incorporating the multiple values of water into decision-making processes. The report argues that proper valuation of water is essential for sustainable and equitable water resources management, as well as for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It highlights the complexities and challenges in valuing water, given the diverse perspectives and uses, from domestic needs and economic activities to cultural and ecological significance. The report categorizes water valuation into five perspectives: sources and ecosystems, infrastructure, services, economic and production inputs, and socio-cultural aspects.

It emphasizes the need for inclusive and integrated approaches to reconcile these varied values, improve governance, and inform policy and planning, while also addressing gaps in knowledge, research, and capacity building.

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The eleventh report, "Water and Climate Change", was launched on World Water Day in March 2020. The report addresses the critical interplay between water management and climate change.

It highlights how climate change is impacting water availability, quality, and quantity, threatening fundamental human rights and endangering progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report underscores the dual benefits of integrating water management into climate strategies, presenting it as a means to both adapt to and mitigate climate impacts. By focusing on improving water management, the report proposes a comprehensive approach to enhancing resilience, ensuring water security, and addressing climate-induced risks.

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• Executive Summary
• Facts and Figures

The tenth report, "Leaving No One Behind", was presented during the World Water Day celebrations in Geneva, Switzerland in March 2019.

Leaving No One Behind underscores the critical importance of improving water resources management and access to water supply and sanitation to address social and economic inequalities. It highlights the growing global water demand, with projections indicating a 20–30% increase by 2050, exacerbating water stress and scarcity.

The report emphasizes that safe drinking water and sanitation are fundamental human rights essential for health, dignity, and equitable socio-economic development. It aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which commits to ensuring universal access to these services without discrimination, focusing on those most in need to ensure that no one is left behind.

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• Facts and Figures

The ninth report, "Nature-based Solutions for Water", was introduced during the World Water Forum held in Brasília, Brazil in March 2018.

Nature-based Solutions for Water highlights the growing global water demand driven by population growth, economic development, and changing consumption patterns, with significant increases expected in industrial and domestic sectors, particularly in developing economies.

Concurrently, climate change is intensifying the global water cycle, exacerbating wet and dry conditions. The report advocates for nature-based solutions (NBS) as a crucial approach to address water challenges by leveraging natural processes to enhance water availability, improve water quality, and mitigate risks from water-related disasters and climate change. Emphasizing the need to integrate NBS with traditional grey infrastructure, the report aims to optimize water management by combining these approaches to maximize benefits and cost-efficiency.

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The eighth report, "Wastewater, the Untapped Resource", was launched on 22 March 2017 on the occasion of World Water Day in Durban, South Africa.

The report demonstrates how improved wastewater management generates social, environmental, and economic benefits essential for sustainable development, and is crucial to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Wastewater is poised to play a key role in the context of a circular economy, whereby economic development is balanced with the protection of natural resources and environmental sustainability. A large proportion of wastewater is still released into the environment without being either collected or treated. In many regions of the world, water contaminated by bacteria, nitrates, phosphates and solvents is discharged into rivers and lakes, ending up in the oceans, with negative consequences for the environment and public health. The volume of wastewater to be treated will rise considerably in the near future, especially in cities in developing countries with rapidly growing populations.

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• Executive Summary
• Facts and Figures

The seventh report, "Water and Jobs", was launched on 22 March 2016, World Water Day, in Geneva. The report illustrates that nearly 3 out of 4 jobs in the global workforce (3.2 billion people) are moderately or highly dependent upon access to water and water-related services.

Water is a key factor in the development of job opportunities, either directly related to its management (supply, infrastructure, wastewater treatment, etc.) or in economic sectors that are heavily water-dependent such as agriculture, fishing, power, industry, and health.

Furthermore, good access to drinking water and sanitation promotes an educated and healthy workforce, which constitutes an essential factor for sustained economic growth. In its analysis of the economic impact of access to water, the report cites numerous studies that show a positive correlation between investments in the water sector and economic growth. It also highlights the key role of water in the transition to a green economy.

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The sixth report, "Water for a Sustainable World", was launched at the official celebration of World Water Day in New Delhi, India on 20 March 2015. Water resources and the range of services they provide underpin economic growth, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability.

From food and energy security to human and environmental health, water has been shown to contribute to improved social well-being, affecting the livelihoods of billions of people.

Water is duly valued in all its forms, with wastewater treated as a resource that avails energy, nutrients, and freshwater for reuse.

Human settlements develop in harmony with the natural water cycle and the ecosystems that support it, with measures in place that reduce vulnerability and improve resilience to water-related disasters. Integrated approaches to water resources development, management and use – and to human rights – are the norm.

• Full report
• Addressing the challenges: case studies and indicators

The fifth report, "Water and Energy", was launched in Tokyo, Japan in March 2014, on World Water Day. This was the first of the annual assessments produced in collaboration between UN-Water and UN-Energy.

Water and energy are closely linked and highly interdependent. Energy sectors compete with other major water users such as agriculture, manufacturing, water supply, and sanitation. The choices made and actions taken in one area can greatly affect the other, positively or negatively. Trade-offs must be managed to limit negative impacts and foster opportunities for synergy.

Water and energy have crucial impacts on poverty reduction, both directly, as a number of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) depend on improvements in access to water, sanitation, electricity, and energy sources, and indirectly, as water and energy constraints can hinder economic growth – often seen as the last hope for a generalized reduction in poverty.

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The fourth report, "Managing Water under Conditions of Uncertainty and Risk", was launched at the sixth World Water Forum held in Marseille, France in March 2012.

This edition provides a comprehensive review of the world's freshwater resources and seeks to demonstrate, among other messages, that water underpins all aspects of development and that a coordinated approach to water management and allocation is essential. The report emphasizes that to achieve multiple goals, water must be an intrinsic element of decision-making across the development spectrum.

For the first time, the entire report underwent a gender mainstreaming exercise to ensure that important gender and social-equity issues were properly and systematically addressed, and a new chapter specifically focused on gender and water was included.

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• Executive Summary
• Key messages

The third report, "Water in a Changing World", was launched in 2009 at the fifth World Water Forum held in Istanbul, Türkiye.

While building on the work of previous studies, including the two previous editions, the third edition of the report presented several changes. Unlike previous reports, which were structured according to the principles of UN agencies, the third report presented a new, more holistic format.

A number of themes are addressed throughout the report, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), groundwater, biodiversity, water and migration, water and infrastructure, and biofuels.

The water sector can be affected by external forces such as demography, climate change, the global economy, changing societal values, technological innovation, laws, and financial markets. These drivers are unpredictable but also have significant impacts on water management decisions.

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The second report, "Water: A Shared Responsibility", was presented in 2006 at the fourth World Water Forum in Mexico City, Mexico.

It presents a comprehensive picture of freshwater resources in all regions and in most countries of the world, tracks progress towards the water-related goals of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and examines a range of issues, including population growth and increasing urbanization, ecosystem modification, food production, health, industry and energy, as well as risk management, water valuation and payment, and increased knowledge and capacity.

Sixteen case studies examine typical water resource challenges and provide valuable insights into different facets of the water crisis and management responses.

The report presents a set of findings and recommendations to guide future actions and encourage the sustainable use, productivity, and management of our increasingly scarce freshwater resources.

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The first report, "Water for People, Water for Life", was presented in Kyoto at the third World Water Forum in Japan in 2003.

The report provides an assessment of the globe’s water crisis and evaluates progress in 11 challenge areas: water and cities, securing food supply, water and energy, cleaner industry, meeting basic needs, protecting ecosystems, sharing water resources, water valuation, sound water governance, ensuring the knowledge base, and risk management.

Focusing mainly on assessing the level of progress made since the Rio Summit (1992) and on the development of effective assessment methodologies, the report encompasses a wide range of elements, focusing on human freshwater management and the complex aggregate of policies, legislation, social programs, economic approaches, and management strategies to achieve water sustainability.

It also presents seven pilot case studies of river basins representing diverse social, economic and environmental contexts.

• Full report
• Executive Summary

• World Water Assessment Programme
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• World Water Assessment Programme
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