From New York to Abu Dhabi: Unified water stewardship to accelerate SDG 6 commitments
Bringing safe water closer to communities through decentralised, locally driven solutions
© Siemens Stiftung
To draw urgency on safe water during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), Viva con Agua Sankt Pauli e.V., the German WASH Network, well:fair foundation, and Siemens Stiftung with partners from the German HLPF delegation convene a “Leadership Breakfast” on July 14 at the American Council on Germany in New York. The aim is to strengthen collaboration and accelerate progress towards SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
Representing expertise across social entrepreneurship, community-led water and sanitation programms, public mobilization, and international policy advocacy, the co-convening organizations bring implementation experience to HLPF. Senior representatives from governments, the United Nations system, philanthropy, business, civil society, and youth organizations from Europe, Africa, and the United States join under the theme “Making Implementation Visible: Connecting Global Commitments with Local Action.”
Blueprint for remote safe water access
Siemens Stiftung will present its new position paper, “From Water Scarcity to Water Security: A Systemic Approach Powered by Social Entrepreneurship and Partnerships.” Drawing on more than a decade of partnerships with social entrepreneurs, the publication testifies their critical role in providing safe water security while advancing key SDGs: Including Health, Gender Equality, Climate Action, and Economic Growth across Eastern Africa.
“Safe water is a human right and the foundation for health, education, economic opportunity, and climate resilience. Our experience shows that sustainable solutions emerge through collaboration across sectors. HLPF allows us to connect local innovation with global policymaking and strengthen the partnerships needed to accelerate progress towards SDG 6”, says Dr. Nina Smidt, CEO and Spokesperson of the Board, Siemens Stiftung.
Building global action
Participants will contribute to the “Pass the Water” initiative, led by the German WASH Network with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Viva con Agua, Siemens Stiftung, well:fair foundation, and Hansgrohe. The campaign harnesses the unifying power of sport for the human right to water and sanitation and mobilizes momentum ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference. Through the symbolic passing of a football and the sharing of personal video messages and commitments, participants call on governments and decision-makers to accelerate action.
Agnes Fritz, CEO of Viva con Agua Sankt Pauli e.V. states: “We believe that change starts with people and communities. That’s why we use the universal languages of art, music and sport. They bring people together, create connections and turn awareness into action. No single organization, government or business can solve the global water crisis alone. We need partnerships across sectors, generations and cultures. We need to make water everyone’s business. Because when people feel connected, they start caring. And when they care, they act.”
Road to Abu Dhabi
The dialogue is built around a simple but powerful question: “What does water mean to me?” Participants will share practical experiences, learning and successful partnerships, connecting with the broader water community to build momentum towards the UN Water Conference in December in Abu Dhabi.
“The world already has the solutions needed to achieve SDG 6. What is missing is political leadership and implementation at scale. The international community waited 46 years between the first and second UN Water Conferences, and we simply cannot afford to wait again. Now is the time to turn commitments into action,” says Thilo Panzerbieter, Chair of the German WASH Network.
This shared commitment to translating global ambitions into locally driven action can be realized by combining complementary strengths and placing local communities at the center of implementation.
“By bringing these diverse sectors into one room, this conversation has the power to break down silos and let our expertise converge: The private sector’s technical innovation, the social and contextual knowledge of NGOs and philanthropy, and the regulatory framework of governments. It acts as the vital bridge needed to move from transactional sponsorship toward genuine, systemic partnerships”, adds Shari Malzahn-Ape, Executive Board Member of well:fair foundation.
Media representatives are warmly invited to attend the Leadership Breakfast and interview our spokespersons to learn more about our initiatives. Please contact Johannes Rueck, Coordinator of German WASH Network in case you want to book an appointment.
You can download the position paper here:
Our partners
Viva von Agua Sankt Pauli e.V.
Viva con Agua is an international network and non-profit organization dedicated to establishing a world where all people have access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation. Through joyful engagement, art, and sustainable social businesses, Viva con Agua empowers people to actively participate in global change. “All in for Water.”
https://vivaconagua.org
German WASH Network
The German WASH Network represents 30 German non-governmental organisations (NGOs) actively engaged in global humanitarian assistance, recovery and development cooperation in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector. The network aims to increase political will to prioritising WASH through joint advocacy and awareness raising. It strives for a professionalisation through the continuous exchange of knowledge and improved collaboration and complementarity of humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. Together we are stronger! https://www.washnet.de/en/
well:fair foundation
(Formerly Neven Subotic Stiftung) is a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing rural communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania with sustainable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). They uniquely guarantee that 100% of public donations go directly to their on-the-ground projects.
https://wellfair.ngo/
Senior Project Manager, Siemens Stiftung
Christine Meinhardt
Christine.Meinhardt@siemens-stiftung.org
Press contact
Communications / Head of Media Relations
Jagori Dhar
jagori.dhar@siemens-stiftung.org
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With our programs, we are helping to bring about change in the drinking water supply and hygiene conditions in East Africa. Learn more about our expertise and best practices in this area.
