The consultation period for the Glasgow Framework is open until 21 June 2026. Contributions from stakeholders across the globe are welcome. You can submit responses via the form below or by emailing: [email protected].

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) commits the world to universal access to safely managed water and sanitation—fundamental to thriving, secure societies. A decade on, progress has been insufficient: 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water, 3.4 billion lack safely managed sanitation, and only 56% of global wastewater is safely treated. Low-income countries and marginalised communities bear the greatest burden.

An estimated USD 114 billion per year is frequently cited as being needed to close this gap, though the true scale of funding and financing needed across the full breadth of SDG 6 is likely to be considerably higher. Furthermore, governments face fiscal constraints and rising debt, whilst overseas development assistance is declining. The core issue, however, is not a shortage of capital but structural weaknesses: fragmented institutions, weak data and transparency, constrained revenue systems, limited creditworthiness, and poorly allocated risk.

To help address this challenge, Oxera has partnered with the UK Host Country Committee for the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress and Exhibition to develop the Glasgow Framework, a new practical framework designed to support governments, investors and water sector leaders in overcoming the systemic barriers that continue to constrain investment in water infrastructure and services. Drawing on global expertise and cross-sector collaboration, the Framework aims to provide a structured approach to improving the investment readiness of water systems worldwide. It diagnoses barriers across four themes—data and information, regulation and governance, funding, and financing—and provides prioritised, actionable recommendations for developing National Water Strategies.

The Glasgow Framework represents an initial step in a broader consultation process aimed at strengthening how countries can mobilise financing to achieve SDG 6. This consultation will test and refine the framework, ensuring recommendations are actionable, appropriately prioritised, and adaptable to different country contexts. Feedback will inform the final version, published after the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress & Exhibition in October 2026.

Responses from all stakeholders are welcome, including governments, utilities, investors, development institutions, and sector practitioners. In particular, we invite views on:

• Supporting implementation: What would most help stakeholders take these recommendations forward? What barriers might they face, and how could the framework better support them?
• Prioritisation: Do you agree with the prioritisation in Table 4.1? Should any recommendations be prioritised differently? Do the definitions of ‘foundational’, ‘developmental’ and ‘accelerating’ work for you?
• Gaps: Are there important actions, enablers, or risks not sufficiently reflected in the framework?
• Mobilising finance: What would increase your confidence in the framework’s ability to support financing mobilisation?

Oxera Consulting LLP (‘Oxera’) will process your personal data to manage your response to this consultation, which may include but is not limited to contacting you with follow-up questions and sharing updates or the outcomes of the consultation. Oxera may also use your details to send you relevant insights, publications, and information about our services. You can opt out of these communications at any time by contacting us using the email mentioned below. Oxera will act as the sole data controller and will process your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. If you have any questions about how your data is used, please contact [email protected]. By submitting your response, you acknowledge and accept Oxera using your personal data for the purposes of managing this consultation and sending marketing communications.