On World Water Day 2026, UN chief António Guterres urged urgent action to ensure water access, highlighting its critical role in advancing gender equality and sustainable global development.
Today is World Water Day 2026. Marking the occasion, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for urgent global action to ensure safe water and sanitation for all, warning that billions worldwide still lack access to these basic services.
In his message, Guterres stressed that women and girls bear the heaviest burden where water access is limited. Many rely on unsafe sanitation, care for family members made ill by contaminated water and spend hours each day collecting water, often at the cost of education and economic opportunities.
Referring to this year’s theme, “Where water flows, equality grows,” he said equitable access to water can be a powerful driver of gender equality and social progress.
The UN chief urged governments to scale up investment in water and sanitation systems by improving service delivery, strengthening workforce capacity and ensuring reliable financing. Developed countries, he said, must step up support by sharing technology, expertise and funding to help build safe, sustainable and Climate-resilient infrastructure.
He also highlighted the need to include women in decision-making processes to ensure water systems are inclusive and responsive to community needs.
While noting that water scarcity can fuel tensions and conflict, Guterres said it can also serve as a tool for cooperation and peace. He pointed to the upcoming UN Water Conference as a key opportunity to accelerate progress.
The call comes as the world works to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
“Together, let’s make water a force for gender equality,” Guterres said, urging collective global action to ensure no community is left behind.
