National Water Roadmaps
Water is central to sustainable development, food security and climate resilience, yet water governance and management in many countries remain fragmented and sector‑based. Growing pressures from population growth, climate change, competing demands and water scarcity have highlighted the limits of isolated, sectoral approaches. Moreover, global commitments require national‑level coordination, political commitment and coherent planning mechanisms that translate global targets into country‑specific action.
National Water Roadmaps respond to this need by supporting countries to establish a country‑led framework to align water priorities across sectors and support progress towards the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Through its technical expertise, FAO supports Member countries in developing National Water Roadmaps through nationally driven, inter-sectorial and participatory processes: the National Water Dialogues.
The National Water Roadmaps help countries review existing policies, strategies and commitments, such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), integrated water resources management (IWRM) plans and sectoral strategies, and consolidate into a coherent roadmap. The National Water Roadmaps documents will recognize the social, economic and environmental value of water, and define principles, priorities and concrete actions for water governance, management and allocation at the national level.
Related links
- National Water Roadmaps towards the 2030 Agenda
- African leaders meet in Zimbabwe for first FAO regional workshop on National Water Roadmaps
- FAO launches two new projects on sustainable soil management and water governance in the Global South
- National water roadmaps: special event on the road to the UN 2023 Water Conference