Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the United Nations in Guyana have launched a programme to strengthen water and sanitation planning, including efforts to improve access in remote communities.

The initiative, supported by seed funding from UN-Water, is intended to advance Sustainable Development Goal Six, which addresses clean water and sanitation for all, according to a joint release.

At an inception meeting held yesterday in GWI’s boardroom, Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh said Guyana had achieved 98.3 per cent potable water access and was working towards full access by 2030.

“Guyana has benefitted through very strong partnerships with the UN, such as through the WASH and CReW+ programmes. It is only with close collaboration can we achieve our goals and objectives,” Baksh said.

Guyana was selected through a competitive process following a joint expression of interest prepared by GWI and the UN Country Team. GWI will serve as the principal national technical counterpart during implementation.

The programme will produce a validated assessment of Guyana’s progress towards SDG Six, support a Country Water Day dialogue in 2027 and undertake a community and communications initiative titled “What Water Means to Me”.

It will also identify opportunities for further technical assistance, programming and partnerships to improve equitable access to sanitation and sustainable water management, including in remote communities.

Acting UN Resident Coordinator Katy Thompson said the intention was to use the activities to build stronger coordination and longer-term partnerships around Guyana’s water priorities.

“Our objective is not simply to deliver individual activities, but to use this opportunity to generate stronger coordination, practical solutions and longer-term partnerships around Guyana’s water priorities,” she said.

Thompson also highlighted the importance of water security in helping communities respond to changing rainfall patterns, droughts, floods, El Niño-related effects and sea-level rise.

GWI and participating UN entities will supplement the grant with technical expertise, staff time, institutional resources, data and communications support. The release did not disclose the amount of funding.

UN-Water representative Kelly Ann Naylor said the organisation would remain engaged as implementation progressed and expressed hope that the seed funding would help attract further partnerships to accelerate progress towards SDG Six.

Partners also agreed to coordinate the community initiative and other information products. The programme is expected to provide a basis for further technical assistance and resource mobilisation in support of safe and reliable potable water services across Guyana.