Sri Lanka: SDG 6.5.1 reporting – building the basis for improved Integrated Water Resources Management

Summary

In 2023, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Irrigation completed its 3rd reporting cycle on SDG indicator 6.5.1 measuring the degree of implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Its report to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) expands on Sri Lanka’s progress and challenges in water management. Facilitated by GWP Sri Lanka (SLWP) and coordinated by SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme, the multi-stakeholder reporting process assessed Sri Lanka’s progress with a score of 49, indicating moderate implementation. Key takeaways stress the importance of ongoing training, partnership with funders, equitable cost recovery in water distribution, and addressing governance challenges.

Background

In Sri Lanka, there is consensus among key water agencies on the establishment of a Water Resources Secretariat in line with the approved water policy. Furthermore, as of February 2024, the country has implemented a substantial number of projects by incorporating climate-resilient water resources plans and completed at least 11 river basin plans that address climate change impacts on water resources and river health. However, the unhealthy financial situation does not allow the government to allocate financing for new developments and most of the planned investments are continuing with a reduced budget.

Reporting on the status of implementation of SDG 6.5.1 itself is mandatory for all UN Member States, while an inclusive and equitable reporting process provides crucial information on a country’s key challenges, progress, and ways forward to attain sustainable water management. Moreover, IWRM requires a multidisciplinary approach, therefore it is equally important to introduce the IWRM principles to other disciplines as well as gathering their views to develop a comprehensive report. To ensure this, all key stakeholders and relevant actors were consulted through a multi-stakeholder approach and their views on how to assess the current status and challenges were incorporated, ahead of the next reporting cycle. The process was able to create awareness and knowledge management on IWRM and mobilise the commitment of decision-makers to institutionalise IWRM elements.