Water for People: Advancing Equitable Access to Water and Sanitation

Ensuring universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene remains one of the world's greatest development challenges. Although significant progress has been made, billions of people continue to lack safely managed services, while climate change, rapid urbanisation, conflict and growing inequalities place additional pressure on already fragile water systems.

This webinar forms part of the Global Youth Movement for Water & UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY) Capacity Development Series towards the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, equipping young people with the knowledge and tools needed to contribute to global water action. It will explore the Water for People Interactive Dialogue and examine how stronger institutions, resilient utilities, effective regulation, inclusive governance and a skilled workforce can accelerate progress towards achieving the human rights to water and sanitation.

Bringing together experts from across the global water sector, the session will showcase practical experiences and innovative approaches to strengthening WASH systems, improving service delivery, promoting equity and inclusion, and building resilience. Particular attention will be given to the role of young professionals in driving innovation, supporting utilities and communities, and contributing to sustainable and inclusive water governance.

Please note: the event will be hosted in English, with no translation available. Participation is free of charge, and no certificate will be provided.

• 1st webinar: Introduction to the 2026 UN Water Conference and the Global Youth Movement for Water
• 2nd webinar: Water for Planet: Nature-based Solutions to Protect Aquatic Ecosystems
• 3rd webinar: Water for Prosperity: Empowering Youth, Shaping Prosperity Through Water
• 4th webinar: Water for Finance: Youth dialogue on Investments, Financing, Innovation and Impact
• 5th webinar: Water for People: Advancing Equitable Access to Water and Sanitation

Young Water Professionals, practitioners, academics and researchers, utilities, students, engineers, and other interested stakeholders.

By participating in this webinar, participants will:

• Understand the priorities of the Water for People Interactive Dialogue and their relevance to achieving SDG 6.
• Explore how resilient institutions, utilities and governance systems contribute to equitable and sustainable water and sanitation services.
• Learn from practical experiences in strengthening WASH systems, regulation, workforce development and service delivery.
• Examine the role of young professionals in advancing equitable access to water and sanitation.
• Identify opportunities to contribute to the development of recommendations for the 2026 UN Water Conference.

• Hadi Toure Guindo, IWA YWP Mali Chapter / IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 (1st cohort) / AFR'EAU (Mali);
• Marina Batalini de Macedo, IWA YWP Steering Committee / IWA YWP Brazil Chapter (Brazil);
• Patience Wema, IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 (2nd cohort) (USA/Kenya);
• Randa Abubakr, IWA YWP Sudan Chapter (Sudan);
• Robert Bos, consultant (Switzerland);
• Fiona Margaret Gore, WHO (Switzerland);
• Aidan Cronin, UNICEF (Kenya)

This webinar is part of the Global Youth Movement for Water (GYMW) & UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY) Capacity Development Series towards the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. The series brings together young water professionals, youth-led organisations, international organisations and sector experts to strengthen the capacity of young people to engage meaningfully in the preparatory process for the Conference.

Through eight interactive webinars, participants will explore the key themes of the 2026 UN Water Conference, deepen their understanding of global water governance, and connect with a global network of young leaders committed to advancing water security and sustainable development. The series will culminate in the development of a Youth Position Statement, reflecting the perspectives and recommendations of young people from around the world to support youth engagement before, during and beyond the 2026 UN Water Conference.

The Global Youth Movement for Water is a collaborative initiative led together by the International Secretariat for Water (ISW), UNESCO, the International Water Association (IWA), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Water Youth Network (WYN), the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY), AJPEAS, AFR'EAU, Wavemakers United Foundation, and other partners committed to empowering the next generation of water leaders.

The UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY) engages on water-related issues through the Water Youth Network (WYN), which serves as the SDG 6 constituency lead.