The Protocol on Water and Health, jointly serviced by UNECE and WHO-Europe, is a unique legally binding instrument aiming to protect human health by better water management and by reducing water-related diseases. The Protocol provides a practical framework to translate into practice the human rights to water and sanitation and to implement SDG 6.

The Compliance Committee plays a crucial role in facilitating, promoting and safeguarding compliance with the obligations under the Protocol, including by providing advice or assistance to Parties. In the past years, the Committee has focused its work on review of compliance with the obligation to set targets and target dates under article 6(2) of the Protocol, review of compliance with reporting requirements and conducting the analysis of national summary reports submitted by Parties in accordance with article 7(5).

The Committee engaged in consultations with Parties to assist with implementation of the Protocol. Furthermore, the Committee has facilitated compliance through the development of interpretive notes to clarify the various provisions of the Protocol. The Committee has also greatly contributed to the promotion of the Protocol by raising awareness of its obligations and benefits of accession.