Credible and timely data are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There are 11 global indicators to track progress towards SDG 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, coordinated through UN-Water.

SDG indicator 6.5.1 is the “Degree of integrated water resources management (IWRM) implementation” and it is used to measure country progress towards SDG Target 6.5: “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate”.  National reporting on the indicator is undertaken by UN Member States roughly every 3 years through a self-assessed survey, with inputs from national stakeholders. The consolidated survey report is submitted to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – the UN custodian agency for this indicator. UNEP-DHI is responsible for supporting countries to monitor and report on their national level of IWRM implementation, including through the SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme. 

191 countries have submitted data on SDG indicator 6.5.1 in the SDG period, with 137 of these reporting in all three rounds (2017, 2020, 2023). The next data collection round is expected in 2026.

The global average indicator score has increased from 49% in 2017 (baseline), to 54% in 2020, to 57% in 2023.

Key outputs: 

• IWRM Data Portal, including all national reports, country summaries and the full database.
• Publications, including the 2018 baseline report, the 2021 global progress report, the 2024 mid-term status report and regional (Africa, Central America, Arab and Asia-Pacific) and thematic reports.

Partners: 

UNEP-DHI is implementing the global monitoring exercise for UNEP, in partnership with Global Water Partnership. The initiative is part of the UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG-6 (IMI-SDG6).