World Water Day 2025

Water and sanitation are essential for resilient communities, yet 2.2 billion people lack clean water, and 3.5 billion lack safely managed sanitation. Climate change is accelerating the loss of vital water sources, including glaciers, which are crucial for sustaining life. On this World Water Day, UN-Habitat underscores the urgency of protecting these resources to ensure sustainable water management for urban communities.

The impact of climate change on cities

Access to water and sanitation remains one of the most significant urban challenges worldwide. More than 1 billion people living in slums and informal settlements lack formal access to these basic services. The impacts of climate change are compounding the crisis – up to 530 cities are already experiencing its devastating effects, leaving 517 million urban residents vulnerable to tropical diseases, lost livelihoods, and damaged infrastructure. These pressures are overwhelming local governments and making it increasingly difficult to provide essential water and sanitation services.

Protecting glaciers, securing water supply

This year’s World Water Day focuses on the urgent need to protect glaciers, one of the planet’s most crucial sources of freshwater. Rapid, unplanned urbanization and climate change are placing immense strain on ecosystems, affecting water availability, quality, and security. If glaciers continue to disappear, communities will face severe droughts and water shortages, threatening sustainable urban development and the well-being of millions.

Advancing sustainable water management

Securing our shared urban future requires decisive action. This means integrating sustainable urban and land-use planning, investing in resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions, strengthening water utilities, and engaging communities in water management. These efforts are essential to ensuring equitable and reliable access to water for all.

UN-Habitat is committed to turning these priorities into action through initiatives such as the Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance and the Water as Leverage Multilevel Climate Action Programme. In collaboration with UN-Water, UN-Habitat has also contributed to the 2025 World Water Development Report, which underscores the significance of mountain waters for societies, economies, and the environment.

On the occasion of World Water Day, celebrated on 22 March, UN-Habitat underscores the urgency of protecting these resources to ensure sustainable water management for urban communities.

Source: UN-Habitat