UN-Water
UN-Water is a international organization that is part of the pulse of the water sector. Here we bring together everything it publishes on Smart Water Magazine: its news, its blogs and the events it takes part in.
New FAO tool: Prioritization of Irrigation Schemes for Modernization / Rehabilitation (PRISM)
The new Prioritization of Irrigation Schemes for Modernization/Rehabilitation (PRISM), developed by the Land and Water Division of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is a web-based platform to guide the prioritization of irrigation investment. With PRISM, users can analyse and target irrigation schemes based on a comprehensive set of strategic […]
New FAO/WHO report highlights food safety risks from chemical contaminants in agrifood water
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have released a summary report following the Ad hoc Expert Meeting on Water Quality in Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Implications, held in Rome from 20-23 May 2025. The meeting brought together 11 international experts and FAO/WHO staff to finalize a background document […]
The Green Climate Fund releases Water Project Design Guidelines
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has released a new three-part set of Water Project Design Guidelines, offering a structured, programmatic approach to developing climate-resilient water initiatives. To enhance water security and climate resilience, the GCF leverages innovative financing mechanisms to address critical water security areas, including water conservation, efficiency, and reuse; hydrological monitoring; early warning […]
World Environment Day 2025: Global call to beat plastic pollution
World Environment Day, 5 June 2025, will focus on ending plastic pollution. The Republic of Korea will host the global celebrations.
Global Water Partnership Organisation opens MoU to new governments
For the first time in over 20 years, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) is opening its intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), offering a historic opportunity for new States and Governments to join the formal body behind one of the world’s most influential water networks. The GWPO provides the legal framework and operational support for […]
New WHO research agenda for antimicrobial resistance highlights key WASH priorities
WHO has published a new Research Agenda for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Human Health. Improvements in water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and wastewater management in all sectors are critical elements of preventing infections and reducing the spread of AMR. The new research agenda two priorities on WASH in communities and WASH in health care settings: […]
UN World Water Development Report 2025: Mountains and Glaciers – Water towers
The United Nations World Water Development Report 2025, entitled “Mountains and glaciers – Water towers”, was launched on 21 March at a joint celebration for World Water Day and the inaugural World Day for Glaciers. The 2025 edition of UN-Water’s flagship annual report on water calls attention to the essential services and benefits mountain waters […]
Gaza power cut impacts safe water access for hundreds of thousands
Severe water shortages in Gaza have reached critical levels, with only one in 10 people currently able to access safe drinking water, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Monday.
New guidance from WHO on wastewater and environmental surveillance
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched new guidance and pathogen-specific summaries for Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance (WES). WES is disease surveillance using samples from sewage, or other environmental waters impacted by human wastewater. WES has potential to provide information alongside other forms of disease surveillance to fill gaps in other surveillance data and inform […]