Many different sectors are dependent on water. As a result, where water resources are limited, conflicts over use arise. The commonly fragmented management of water resources is particularly inept at solving such conflicts and ensuring sustainable use of the resource. In response to this, target 6.5 aims for the implementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM) at all levels. IWRM promotes the coordinated development and management of water- and land-related resources, in order to maximize economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems. Target 6.5 builds on the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (2002) arising from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1992).

Global Indicators for this Sub-goal:

• 6.5.1 “Degree of integrated water resources management implementation (0 100)”
• 6.5.2 “Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation”