Global water security is a growing issue. It drives the need for international cooperation.
Focus on sustainable water management is increasing worldwide due to:
- water scarcity
- growing demand for water
- climate pressures.
For over 30 years we’ve:
- invested in efficient water use practices in rural and urban sectors
- progressed national reform to manage our scarce water resources
- ensured water security for future generations.
We use science based on Western and First Nations knowledge for water policy.
Australia is a world leader in water policy and reform. We share what we know about water management around the world:
- how we allocate water, especially for the environment
- efficient water use and our Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme
- involving First Nations voices in developing water policy.
Our commitment
Our goal is to use our experience to get global action on sustainable water management.
Our international commitment includes:
- sharing our water policy, reform and management practices
- learning from international experience and innovation
- support for Australia’s climate and environment interests
- fulfilling international water obligations
- supporting foreign policy and international development
- contributing to international water initiatives.
Many agencies are involved in this work:
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Australian Water Partnership
- Murray–Darling Basin Authority
- Bureau of Meteorology
- CSIRO
- Geoscience Australia
- Austrade
- ACIAR.
Australia’s states and territories have projects in place with several countries.
How we contribute
Australia contributes policy and technical advice to high-profile international organisations:
- United Nations Water
- Organisation for the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
- Group of 20 (G20)
- Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
We support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6). The goal is sustainable management of water and sanitation for everyone.
Part of our role is to lead Australia’s reporting on progress against the SDG6.
We manage and contribute to bilateral water agreements with partner countries. And we share our expertise and experience with other countries and in multilateral forums.