Water for all: How far has North and Central Asia advanced on SDG 6?
Water is the most basic human need for health, livelihoods and dignity. Historically, water resources have been a critical issue in North and Central Asia due to its landlocked nature, which poses considerable challenges to equitable and efficient access to water. The vulnerability of water resources is further exacerbated due to emerging issues, such as rising water demand, worsening climate impacts, and aging infrastructure. In this context, accelerating progress toward SDG 6 has emerged as an urgent priority to secure long-term water sustainability across the subregion.
Challenges in achieving equitable water and sanitation services
North and Central Asia has made steady progress in expanding access to clean water, with 76.2 per cent of the population having access to safe and affordable drinking water as of 2022. However, significant disparities persist across the subregion. While some countries have achieved universal access to safe drinking water, others still lag considerably behind.
