Water plays a pivotal role for sustainable development, including poverty reduction. UNDP focuses on supporting activities at the country level that aim to increase access to safe water and sanitation by 2015 and to halt the unsustainable exploitation of water resources.

In the past decade, UNDP has maintained a marked presence in water issues in 90 countries through its water programmes. As one of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) implementing agencies, it works to sustainably manage international water resources, including lakes and river basins. UNDP's GEF-funded Small Grants Programme has already provided grants for over 3,900 community-level projects.

UNDP and partners have established the Water and Sanitation Programme; Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council and Global Water Partnership, as well as capacity building for integrated management of water resources and service delivery.

Areas of expertise:UNDP works in 166 countries, helping to find solutions to unsustainable water management practices including water supply and sanitation.

Key publications and resources: UNDP-GEF Biological Diversity Projects; Ecological Sanitation for Food Security; Water Governance Strategy; Water and Sustainable Development

Media contact:
Ana Gerez
Tel: +1-212-906-6127
E-mail: ana.gerez@undp.org