United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Official Position Statement Approved by WEF

Date of Approval:  July 12, 2019

Expiration Date:  July 12, 2024

In 2015, the United Nations member states adopted the 2030 Development Agenda titled “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” as a call to action for all countries to work towards peace and prosperity for people and the planet. This agenda outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to thematic areas such as water, energy, and climate; with associated targets and indicators.

SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, features targets for water reuse, access, affordability, resiliency, integrated water resources management, reduction in untreated wastewater, and enhanced research and development for water technologies; each of which water professionals around the world contribute to every day.  The work of water professionals also directly impacts most of the other SDGs including SDG 2 - Zero Hunger; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being;  SDG 5 – Gender Equality; SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13 - Climate Action; SDG 14 - Life below Water; and SDG 15 - Life on the Land.

Alignment With WEF’s Mission and Critical Objectives

Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment.  WEF's mission, programs, and activities support the objectives of the SDGs, aligning with many, in particular SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation.

Position

WEF supports the objectives of the UN SDGs and recognizes the work that its members, member associations, and the water sector as a whole contribute to furthering progress towards these goals globally. WEF’s programs and activities advance progress toward these goals by:

• Establishing the conditions that promote accelerated development and implementation of innovative technologies and approaches. This includes fostering research and innovation, accelerating resource recovery, and cultivating the water workforce of the future.
• Generating increased public awareness of the value of water, water professionals, and resource recovery, leading to increased funding to protect water quality and advance resource recovery.
• Providing a broad range of content and programing, as well as opportunities for water professionals to learn and share information.
• Leveraging a global network of water professionals

WEF will continue to foster progress towards achievement of the SDGs by:

• Increasing water sector and public awareness of the SDGs and their importance, as well as of the work that water professionals are doing to further progress towards achievement of these goals.
• Seeking opportunities to build upon the work currently being done and to collaborate with our member associations and partners around the world to advance progress towards achievement of the SDGs in the spirit of SDG 17 - Partnership for the Goals.