The Subcommittee on Water Resources is the focal point for United Nations system-wide coordination in the area of water resources; in particular the implementation of the Mar del Plata Action Plan adopted by the United Nations Water Conference in 1977 and interrelated provisions of Chapter 18 of Agenda 21 as well as other mandates from intergovernmental bodies.

The Subcommittee's main objectives include:

(a) Promoting effective coordination and cooperation among the organizations of the United Nations system in the formulation and implementation of their respective programmes;

(b) Formulating concerted strategic approaches to integrated water-resources development and management, including capacity-building, institutional issues, human resources development and the role of women in the management of water resources for sustainable development, for application at the national, subregional, regional and global levels, as appropriate;

(c) Enhancing effective information exchange among the organizations of the United Nations system and relevant organizations outside the system dealing with water resources;

(d) Bringing to the attention of IACSD and to the relevant intergovernmental bodies, issues concerning the development and management of water resources;

(e) Promoting public awareness of the growing seriousness of water problems worldwide.

In order to achieve these objectives, members of the Subcommittee collaborate in substantive areas such as: integrated water resources development and management; water resources assessment; protection of water resources, water quality and aquatic ecosystems; drinking water supply and sanitation; water and sustainable urban development; water for sustainable food production and rural development; impacts of climate change on water resources; prevention and mitigation of water-related natural disasters.