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The first webinar in the “Frontiers of Global Water Science” series, part of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) anniversary, focused on water quality challenges and their impact on sustainable development. Dr. Alcamo presented initial estimates of global water quality and demonstrated its critical importance, particularly in countries. 

Water quality degradation represents a critical challenge in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), affecting communities and ecosystems worldwide. Through innovative modeling efforts, we can now estimate the extent of water quality issues across major river networks in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. This unique approach provides essential insights where traditional monitoring data is limited.

The research findings paint a concerning picture: bacterial pollution impacts approximately one-third of river-kilometres in these regions, posing significant risks to public health and hindering progress toward SDG targets. Severe organic pollution affects roughly one-seventh of river-kilometres, threatening freshwater fisheries and compromising both food security and biodiversity objectives. Additionally, salinity pollution impacts approximately one-thirtieth of river-kilometres, creating substantial challenges for agricultural irrigation and further jeopardizing food security goals. 

However, developing nations today have access to numerous innovative solutions that weren't available during the industrialization of developed countries. These include ecological and nature-based wastewater treatment processes, advanced water conservation techniques, and integrated watershed management approaches. Modern water governance frameworks, combined with scientific expertise and timely implementation, offer promising pathways to address these critical water quality challenges. The webinar will explore how these solutions can be effectively implemented to support sustainable development objectives while considering local contexts and resources.