The United Nations World Water Development Report 2015 - water for a sustainable world

Water flows through the three pillars of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. Water resources, and the essential services they provide, are among the keys to achieving poverty reduction, inclusive growth, public health, food security, lives of dignity for all and long-lasting harmony with Earth’s essential ecosystems.
Water issues have risen in prominence in recent years, reflecting growing understanding of water’s centrality as well as the world’s success in achieving the Millennium Development Goal target of halving the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water. Between 1990 and 2010, 2.3 billion people gained access to improved drinking water sources, such as piped supplies and protected wells.

The publication of the World Water Development Report 2015, “Water for a Sustainable World”, comes as Member States strive to build on the gains made under the MDG framework, articulate an inspiring post-2015 development agenda and reach an ambitious agreement on climate change. The report illustrates the complex linkages between water and critical areas such as human health, food and energy security, urbanization, industrial growth and climate change. It also describes the status of the world’s water resources, including an overview of the impacts of unsustainable growth on freshwater resources, and suggests possible responses to these challenges.