The World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA) operates within a global network and is convened by UNEP. These collaborative efforts are designed to develop and scale innovative solutions that address water quality challenges worldwide. Since its inception in 2019, WWQA has been addressing interconnected and complementary topics to enhance global knowledge on water quality and bridge the gap between knowledge and action. The WWQA Strategy 2030 structures these efforts around three key pillars while ensuring alignment with global commitments, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy, UN resolutions on water and biodiversity, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To drive progress, WWQA is organized into workstreams that act as catalysts for expertise on essential topics related to SDG 6 on water quality. These workstreams bring together members from diverse backgrounds, including research institutes, NGOs, the private sector, local communities, and individuals dedicated to advancing science and knowledge. Each workstream contributes to the WWQA’s Vision 2030 by focusing on different aspects of the water quality challenge. Some workstreams enhance knowledge by creating and collecting data, others address pollution sources that hinder water quality, while some focus on translating information into concrete solutions. By facilitating targeted collaboration, workstreams ensure that scientific insights are transformed into actionable strategies for improving freshwater quality.

This pillar ensures that water quality data is not only collected but also translated into effective solutions that protect, restore, and enhance water quality. It moves beyond monitoring to address risk factors, optimize mitigation strategies, and strengthen enabling conditions such as policy frameworks, financial mechanisms, and digital innovations. These efforts directly support SDG 6.3 on improving water quality and align with UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy by reinforcing the link between science and policy to drive evidence-based interventions. Additionally, this work contributes to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, especially the focus on restoring degraded ecosystems, including freshwater bodies impacted by pollution.

This pillar promotes an integrated approach to water quality management across multiple sectors, ensuring that WWQA’s monitoring and assessment activities contribute to global commitments on sustainable food systems, One Health, and ecosystem restoration. By addressing the interdependencies between water, energy, food, ecosystems, and health, WWQA supports the implementation of the SDGs, particularly Goal 6. The nexus approach also aligns with UNEP’s objectives to enhance climate resilience and prevent environmental degradation through science-driven policies.

This pillar strengthens public participation in water quality monitoring and decision-making. By leveraging citizen science and community engagement, WWQA fosters inclusive water governance and knowledge-sharing, ensuring that local actors contribute to data collection and policy co-creation. Guided by the Quintuple Helix model—which integrates governments, academia, industry, civil society, and citizens—this approach drives sustainable innovation. These initiatives directly support SDG 6 on participatory water management and reinforce UNEP’s capacity-building efforts under the Medium-Term Strategy. They also align with the UN General Assembly resolution recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment by empowering communities to advocate for stronger water quality protections. Workstreams under this pillar are particularly focused on expanding access to data, supporting citizen-led monitoring efforts, and building the capacity of stakeholders to drive water quality improvements at local, national, and global levels.

Through these three pillars and the workstreams that underpin them, WWQA expands water quality monitoring, advances interdisciplinary solutions, and translates scientific insights into actionable strategies. By aligning with global frameworks and leveraging the collective expertise of its members, WWQA strengthens international commitments to safeguarding freshwater resources for both people and ecosystems.

Want to propose a workstream?

Get in touch with the WWQA Coordination Team : wwqa-coordination[a]un.org