Accountability is No Longer the Elephant in the Room
Sanitation and Water for All - a UNICEF-hosted global partnership
Water, sanitation and hygiene for all, always and everywhere.
When UN Member States drafted Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, accountability was the elephant in the room. Governments and organizations preferred softer terms like "review" or "follow-up.”??
In November last year, our team was invited to an informal consultation on the upcoming UN 2026 Water Conference. Participants were asked to describe their frustrations with global progress on water and sanitation. At the top of the list? Weak accountability, ineffective governance at times, and the urgent need for more financing.?
At Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), we’ve always known that accountability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the backbone of progress. That’s why, when I joined SWA several years ago, one of my first priorities was to establish a mechanism that could turn lofty promises into meaningful action. The result was the Mutual Accountability Mechanism (MAM), launched in 2018. This inclusive, government-led process unites stakeholders around shared commitments. It’s bold, it’s collaborative, and it works.?
From Ambition to Action?
Since its inception, the MAM has been a game-changer. To date, 498 commitments have been tabled by stakeholders from 61 countries. Among the 295 progress reports submitted by partners, 46 per cent are fully or nearly fully achieved. These aren’t just numbers; they’re communities empowered, and trust rebuilt.??
This is what it means to realize human rights. This is what attracts investments and builds donor confidence. This is what gets the job done.?
Take governance and sector coordination, for example. Since 2019, 118 commitments have focused on strengthening collaboration and research on inclusive approaches. Meanwhile, 106 commitments have addressed financing, advocating for budget increases, diversified funding sources, and private-sector participation. And let’s not forget the 102 commitments targeting inequalities—efforts to close the urban-rural gap, include vulnerable communities, and promote gender equality.?
Reviewing our Progress?
Governments are facing a lot of cascading crises these days, from climate change to economic instability. Yet, human rights law holds governments accountable for ensuring access to affordable and safe water and sanitation. To support this obligation, our partnership recognizes that we are better together, and that all stakeholders have a role to play.??
The key is to create an enabling environment, which allows governments to uphold human rights, and simultaneously achieve the development goals they have set. We also need to bring in others and gain from their experience and knowledge. That includes allowing for meaningful participation from people whose daily lives depend on these services.??
The MAM shows us how human rights principles can drive practical, measurable outcomes. As we move forward, we must double down on our commitment to accountability, transparency, and participation. This is how we will realize the vision of SDG6 and make the human rights to water and sanitation a reality for all.?
By: Catarina de Albuquerque,?Chief Executive Officer, Sanitation and Water for All
Our work on realizing the human rights to water and sanitation is supported by the European Commission.
"Certified Project Manager | Specialist in Infrastructure Development and Sustainable Construction | Driving Renewable Energy Solutions and Youth Employment in Uganda's Green Economy"
5 天前Accountability is indeed the backbone of progress, and the work SWA is doing through the Mutual Accountability Mechanism (MAM) is commendable. However, the lack of accountability, fueled by corruption and systemic failures, continues to disproportionately affect our people and communities. In many regions, the failure of governments, organizations, and individuals to uphold their commitments has led to dire consequences—limited access to clean water, inadequate sanitation, and preventable health crises. These failures not only undermine development goals but also perpetuate inequality and erode trust in institutions. The progress SWA has made is inspiring, but it also highlights the urgent need for stronger systems to hold stakeholders accountable. Corruption and negligence must be addressed head-on to ensure that commitments translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives. Let’s continue to push for transparency, integrity, and action to achieve SDG 6 and beyond. #Accountability #WASH #SustainableDevelopment #EndCorruption
Khurshid Bhatti, CEO AHD Pakistan winner 6 international awards, HIEX-UN, WHA-2024, GSK UK, Energy Globe, APFED & Int. Energy Globe over safe drinking water in rural poor communities
1 周Safe drinking water for all, AHD Pakistan working on Nature Based Solution to bring access to safe and clean drinking water for all and so far helped 3.6 million people and they have access to safe and clean drinking water, however if Global Partnership accepts offer than we can help Asia and Africa with safe and clean drinking water via Nadi filter technology, a mud pot technology and long-term and lifetime
Environmental Microbiologist | Groundwater (GW) Enthusiast | Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance in GW & WW | One Health Advocate | Member, UNESCO's Groundwater Youth Network; Steering and Scientific Committees.
2 周Wow! Very fantastic update. Would really like to see the impact of MAM on accelerating progress for SDG6.
Civil Society l GEDSI I Climate Resilient WASH I Governance l Locally Led programme dev management l Leadership l Partnership l Research I Policy influencing l Resource Mobilisation I WASH System Strengthening.
2 周Inspiring!