Ten Years of SDG 6 and the Path to 2030 : Sustainable Development Goal 6 Synthesis Report on Water and Sanitation 2026

This report provides a ten-year review of global progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 'ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.' Drawing on the latest data and insights from across the United Nations system and partner organizations, the report examines trends, achievements, remaining gaps and emerging challenges across the entire water cycle. The report shows that dedicated global action on water and sanitation has delivered measurable results, expanding access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services for billions of people and strengthening policy coherence, monitoring, financing and cooperation across sectors and countries. At the same time, progress remains uneven and insufficient to achieve SDG 6 by 2030, with billions still lacking access to essential services and water-related risks intensifying due to climate change, pollution, ecosystem degradation and growing demand. With fewer than five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, the report calls for accelerated implementation through stronger governance, increased investment, improved data and monitoring systems, innovation, capacity development and deeper multilateral cooperation. It argues that water and sanitation remain fundamental to progress across sustainable development, including health, food security, energy, climate resilience, economic prosperity and peace.