Following a surge of national and international water and sanitation events since WISA 2024, the sector’s growing collaboration is clear. Yet, true success must be measured not by attendance, but by how effectively these gatherings advance SDG 6 through real, data-driven implementation and measurable progress on agreed outcomes.

These key events in the form of conferences, dialogues, training series/workshops are all crucial for knowledge sharing, professional networking and skills development. However, organising such key events requires substantial investment in time, money, and resources.

To ensure these investments yield the desired outcomes, it’s important that we keep measuring success and effectiveness of these events, against the successful implementation and traction of agreed solutions and identified actionable outcomes, as it relates to the Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation for all (SDG 6) in particular.

While one of the most straightforward metrics for evaluating the success of such events is attendance numbers, as high attendance indicates strong interest and relevance. Moreover, some of these events have been oversubscribed, reading from registration information and actual attendance data. These events also have specific aims and emphases, ranging from youth empowerment, skills development, job creation, launching of new partnerships and networks, and innovative water and sanitation technologies among other.

On the other hand the SDG 6 goal and targets aim to achieve universal access to safe and affordable drinking water, adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene, and to improve water quality by reducing pollution. This goal is crucial for global health, gender equality, and poverty reduction, and is considered central to achieving other development goals as well. Hence, the success of actionable outcomes emanating from water and sanitation events must continue to be measured against the agreed set of SDG 6 targets:

• Universal and equitable access – by providing safe, affordable drinking water and access to adequate sanitation and hygiene for everyone, ending open defecation.
• Improved water quality – by reducing pollution, eliminate dumping, and minimising the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
• Water-use efficiency – by increasing water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals to address water scarcity.
• Water resource management – by implementing integrated water resource management at all levels.
• Ecosystem protection – by protecting and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, and rivers.
• Capacity building – by increasing the capacity of local communities to improve water and sanitation management.

Ultimately, a data-driven approach to evidence-based progress against SDG 6 targets must be the norm when organising or participating in key water and sanitation events, as these platforms serve as an important reminder that genuine progress against SDG 6 targets is measured by successful implementation of actionable outcomes emanating from such strategic conversations, as opposed to the number of important water and sanitation events being (successfully) organised.

Lest we forget, SDG 6 is fundamental for public health and is directly linked to reducing diseases. It is a key enabler for other SDGs, including those related to hunger, gender equality, and education. It addresses climate change by ensuring the sustainable management of water resources in the face of increasing stress.

By Dr. Harrison Pienaar, chairman, WISA