Water in 2025: Canada's Opportunity to Lead

WaterAid/ Etinosa Yvonne
Image: WaterAid/ Etinosa Yvonne

WaterAid Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s recent endorsement of the COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action. The endorsement signals a growing recognition of the critical role that water security, access to sanitation, and hygiene services play in climate resilience, global health, and sustainable development. At a time when the global water crisis is deepening due to climate change, and inequalities in access remain stark, Canada’s leadership can help turn commitments into meaningful action to ensure adequate investment and inclusive, locally led solutions.

Announcement of the G7 Water Coalition by the Italian Presidency last year provides an opportunity for Canada’s G7 Presidency in 2025 to set the foundation. The Coalition offers a critical platform to champion a ‘one water vision’ integrated approach that addresses water security across sectors, prioritizing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for basic human needs and geographies, recognizing the intrinsic link between water, ecosystems, and communities.
 

Why WASH Must Be Central

Water is life. Yet, for nearly 1 in 10 people globally, safe water remains out of reach, and over 1,000 children die daily from preventable diseases caused by a lack of access to clean water and sanitation.

Climate change is amplifying these risks by driving more frequent and severe weather events – floods, droughts, and unpredictable rainfall patterns – undermining the already fragile water systems in many parts of the world.

The Global Commission on the Economics of Water highlights that without urgent interventions, water scarcity could reduce GDP in lower-income countries by 15% by 2050. For those nations, these impacts will further entrench poverty and inequality.
 

Canada’s Leadership for Water: Leveraging the G7 and G20 Platforms for Bold Global Action

The growing urgency was emphasized further by charity leaders from 22 countries urging the G20 South Africa Presidency to fulfill global WASH promises this year. Such actions reflect a clear consensus: water, sanitation, and hygiene are not just essential services, but a cornerstone of health, nutrition, food security, and climate resilience – especially for women and girls who bear the brunt of its absence. , Canada’s upcoming G7 Presidency represents a pivotal moment for Canada to lead on water security, access to sanitation and hygiene services. In 2024, Italy laid the groundwork of the G7 Water Coalition, and now Canada has an opportunity to build on this momentum:

  • Canada can formalize the G7 Water Coalition’s objectives, focusing on universal access to WASH and water security for people and planet.
  • Canada can advocate for the fulfillment of commitments made in international forums, including the G20 Call to Action on Strengthening Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services during South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
  • Harmonized G7-G20 efforts can amplify the impact of WASH interventions globally to work towards cohesive priorities that address the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

Canada’s leadership on WASH and broader water security can catalyze transformative change for millions of people worldwide. Canada has a chance to lead by example, turning promises into action and building a future where everyone, everywhere, has the access they need to thrive.