The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is collaborating with Nile Basin Initiative partners, through an effort funded by GIZ, to enhance water quality and plastic pollution monitoring in rivers.
As part of this commitment, UNEP participated in a workshop held in Kisumu, Kenya, from 13–15 February. The workshop fell within the framework of the Nile Basin Initiative, which aims to reduce plastic pollution levels in the Nile Basin. The initiative does this in part by mapping plastic pollution sources and waste management practices, as well as raising awareness about plastic pollution in rivers. Members of UNEP’s Global Environment Monitoring Programme for Water (GEMS/Water) and members of the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA) contributed to the workshop along with Earthwatch Europe. GEMS/Water is responsible for global ambient water quality monitoring under Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 6.3.2, which evaluates the percentage of rivers, lakes, and groundwater bodies that meet national or international water quality standards based on key parameters.
The workshop brought together water quality experts from multiple Nile Basin countries. It was designed to help countries design water quality monitoring plans and track plastic pollution using UNEP guidelines. The event also emphasized the importance of harmonizing methodologies and sharing monitoring data, supported by the WWQA Plastics workstream coordinators.
During the three-day workshop, the team from GEMS/Water held a session to showcase its capacity development products, which help countries improve water quality monitoring and assessment. Participants learned about the SDG 6.3.2 indicator monitoring methodology and how citizen science can support countries in generating data to deliver on this indicator. The training material used during the workshop included insights from previous training sessions and expertise from courses conducted by the World Water Quality Alliance. This multi-stakeholder network convened by UNEP advocates the central role of freshwater quality in achieving prosperity and sustainability.
UNEP’s contribution to the Nile Basin Initiative aligns with the priorities set by UNEP's thematic sub-programmes on climate, nature and pollution. It supports actions to monitor, protect and restore freshwater resources, with a particular focus on preventing plastic pollution.
During the workshop in Kisumu, participants discussed the potential of citizen science to bridge data gaps and empower local communities to safeguard their environment. The workshop also highlighted the opportunity to develop a new macroplastics methodology that could contribute to Sustainable Development Goal indicator 6.3.2 and be used by both national authorities and citizen scientists.
Water quality monitoring remains a complex issue, often insufficiently integrated into broader environmental monitoring efforts. Workshop participants agreed that citizen science can play a crucial role in addressing this challenge by expanding data collection and fostering community participation. The World Water Quality Alliance has since 2021 supported citizen science in several African countries. As well, as the custodian for Sustainable Development Goal indicator 6.3.2, GEMS/Water has helped Sierra Leone and Zambia include data obtained through citizen science projects into official reporting. UNEP aims to streamline this approach among more UN Member States.
Water quality monitoring is part of UNEP’s core mandate to keep the world environment under review and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It underscores UNEP’s commitment to increasing the uptake of science for transformative action, engaging multiple stakeholders — including local communities — in alignment with the Science-Policy sub-programme.
The Global Environment Monitoring Programme for Water (GEMS/Water) and the World Water Quality Alliance are advancing citizen engagement for improved water quality monitoring. This work supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
