The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 6.5.1 – tracks the degree of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) implementation by assessing four (4) key components:
- Enabling environment
- Institutions and participation
- Management instruments
- Financing
The monitoring and reporting on SDG Indicator 6.5.1 is based on a self-assessment survey, which is sent out to all United Nations (UN) Member States every three (3) years. The survey covers 33 parameters (questions) grouped into the four (4) areas mentioned above.
In 2017 during the baseline data collection round, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) who is the custodian agency for the Indicator, worked closely with the Global Water Partnership (GWP). The results of the first reporting cycle back in 2017, showed that the world had an average score of 49% (medium-low degree of IWRM implementation); meaning it was not on track regarding SDG Indicator 6.5.1. essentially putting the achievement of the other SDGs at risk. This made clear the need to “Accelerate Progress” by building upon collective action, as well as multi-stakeholder monitoring and reporting processes.
Now in 2020, UNEP has started its second round of reporting on SDG Indicator 6.5.1 with the support of GWP and its Regional Water Partnerships (RWPs) under an SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme - which assists governments in designing and implementing country-led responses to the Indicator. The Programme is guided by UNEP and coordinated by GWP in close collaboration with UNEP-DHI Centre and Cap-Net UNDP.
As the Caribbean arm of GWP, the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) has been assisting UNEP in reaching out to Caribbean countries (through their SDG 6.5.1 Focal Points) to undertake the second round of data collection.
Trinidad and Tobago will be the first Caribbean country under the Support Programme, to begin the second-round assessment of the country’s degree of IWRM implementation. This will be done by means of a two-day online Stakeholder Consultation on April 29th and 30th, 2020. Trinidad and Tobago is also the first country to implement a 100% online method for this Stakeholder Consultation. The Consultation is being coordinated by the Ministry of Public Utilities (MPU) of Trinidad and Tobago who is responsible for the national reporting on SDG Indicator 6.5.1.
Trinidad and Tobago, along with the other Caribbean countries that will participate in this important assessment, will each produce a country response by submitting the completed Indicator Survey (scoring of the 33 parameters) and a Stakeholder Consultation Report to UNEP.