Event
Webinars on the 3rd reporting exercise under SDG indicator 6.5.2 on transboundary water cooperation
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Member States' engagement was high in the previous reporting exercises, with 108 participating in the first exercise in 2017, and 129 participating in the second exercise in 2020. However, many challenges remain including raising the number of reports submitted, improving the quality of information provided and accelerating progress in transboundary cooperation. Only 24 countries worldwide report that all of their transboundary waters are covered by operational arrangements so far. One particular challenge is the data and cooperation related to transboundary groundwater and aquifers.
The 3rd round of reporting is an opportunity to evaluate progress and identify gaps in transboundary water cooperation worldwide, to inform different policy processes, to further engage with riparian countries, River Basin Organizations (RBOs), partners and other relevant institutions and stakeholders in order to put the SDG indicator 6.5.2 on track and reach SDG target 6.5, to "implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate", by 2030. The co-custodian agencies for indicator 6.5.2, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and UNESCO, are organizing a series of webinars on to support the Member States efforts. The webinars will be conducted in two sessions:
- Webinar 1: 17 April 2023, 10:00–12:00 CET - Conducted in English with interpretation into Russian
- Webinar 2: 18 April 2023, 16:00–18:00 CET - Conducted in French with interpretation into English and Spanish.
The reporting exercise takes place during an important year for water. The UN 2023 Water Conference (New York, 22-24 March) included an Interactive Dialogue focused on “Water for Cooperation” and fostered many commitments for water cooperation. Furthermore, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (New York, 10–19 July 2023) will provide an in-depth review of Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation. The outcomes of the 3rd reporting exercise are also expected to inform the preparatory process and discussions at the 2023 SDG Summit (New York, 19-20 September 2023) and the Summit of the Future (New York, 22–23 September 2024).
Objectives
The key purpose of the webinars is to support countries in preparing national reports on SDG indicator 6.5.2. In the context of the third reporting exercise, the focus is on building on the previous reporting experiences to highlight the need to accelerate progress and to promote coordination between countries sharing transboundary river(s), lake(s) or aquifer(s) and showcase the multiple benefits it generates by improving the quality of reporting and strengthening cooperation.
The specific objectives are to:
- Highlight good practices and discuss challenges in completing the 6.5.2 questionnaire;
- Introduce newly developed materials focusing on coordination for reporting on SDG indicator 6.5.2 (available in: , , and ) and remind the ;
- Present examples of coordination by countries;
- Encourage coordination with partners, RBOs and regional organizations;
- Highlight synergies with SDG indicator 6.5.1 reporting;
- Discuss how to benefit from and use the reporting process.
Draft agenda
Introduction / opening (15 min)
- Welcome and introduction to the webinar
- Opening remarks
- Challenges and value of SDG indicator 6.5.2 reporting in promoting transboundary water cooperation, its place in SDGs and in the global water agenda
Part 1: Experience from past two reporting exercises and acceleration needs (30 min)
- Presentation by UNECE and UNESCO:
- Overview of SDG indicator 6.5.2: key components of the indicator and their relevance to progress transboundary cooperation
- Countries intervention:
- Challenges and best practices in reporting on SDG indicator 6.5.2; success stories in accelerating transboundary cooperation
- Q&A Session with the audience
Part 2: Coordination opportunities during the preparation of national reports (30 min)
- Presentation by UNECE and UNESCO:
- Benefits of coordination the reporting on Indicator 6.5.2 between riparian countries, at basin, regional and transboundary level
- Countries and partners interventions:
- Successful coordination efforts at the basin and regional level, including examples of countries and the role of basin organizations and regional organizations
- Q&A Session with the audience
Part 3: Closing Remarks (5 min)
- Summary of the webinar, follow-up and assistance during the 3rd reporting
