Through its Water Management Branch, DESA provides project execution and policy advisory services at national and regional levels in integrated water resource management. While providing policy advice to Member States, DESA stresses the importance of water as a key resource to achieve the goals of sustainable development. UN/DESA: serves as secretariat for the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, where freshwater issues are sometimes dealt with in conjunction with other issues, such as international conflicts or economic deliberations; serves as secretariat for the System-wide Subcommittee on Water Resources; houses the UN Secretariat's main freshwater expertise; manages a large programme of technical co-operation in integrated water resources management and ground-water development, including management of international waters; helps governments and local entities design development strategies and build national capacities in freshwater resources planning and management; conducts needs assessments and develops water resources management programmes; plays a key role in promoting inter-agency co-operation around water issues; and launches advocacy campaigns for partnership-building.

Areas of expertise: Sustainable development, economic and social development

Key publications and resources: Agenda 21 (Ch. 18), Report of the Expert Group Meeting on Strategic Approaches to Freshwater Management

Media contact:
Pragati Pascale
Tel: +1-212-963-6870
UN Department of Public Information
Room S-1040, United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Fax: +1-212-963-1186
E-mail: mediainfo@un.org