Water provides sustenance; it is an economic good, a factor of production and a habitat. Yet only a small amount of the water on earth – freshwater not frozen in glaciers and ice – is available to meet the varied, often competing demands placed on it.

One of the most pressing development challenges is to provide poor populations in developing countries with regulated access to safe water supplies. Hygiene and sanitation are also crucial, not only in improving child health but also in ensuring people can live in dignity. If sufficient water is to be available for food production in the long run, water must be distributed equitably and changes must be made to adapt to climate change. This has to happen not only at national level, but also across national borders.

GIZ advises developing countries on how to manage their water resources fairly, efficiently and sustainably. With the help of our partners, we aim to reduce extreme poverty and develop structures that facilitate and encourage sustainable development.

The main areas of GIZ’s work in this field are:.

• Advisory services for governments on shaping water policy
• Supporting water management reform
• Developing and improving regulation systems
• Promoting sustainable water supply and sanitation
• Support for transboundary water management and cooperation