Bridging the gap between the UN and innovators

A new survey has revealed that 48% of private innovation solution providers have never engaged with the UN and only 1% have ever used any UN data.

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The disconnection was further exposed with only 4% having ever partnered with the UN on a project.

But despite the clear gap between the UN and the private sector, the survey also revealed exactly the potential areas for collaboration.

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AquaFed led an expert panel of private solution providers and UN representatives analysed the survey, explained the barriers and challenges to innovation and highlighted what the UN can do, at the Global Water Summit in Madrid, on 20th May 2026.

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One of the questions the survey asked was ‘how the UN can accelerate water innovation?’ The results were:

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• 76% Foster and showcase impactful solutions

• 73% Support pilot and demonstration projects

• 59% Highlight challenges needing innovation

• 57% Deliver common strategy for finance access

 

Six themes emerged from the panel discussion, regarding the challenges and barriers to innovation:

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• The problems of broken governance

• The need for a joint vision backed by National Water Strategies

• Regulation needs to be positive and enabling

• Public authorities are too risk averse

• Private sector tech and innovation is working in silos

• Practical and logistical issues outside of water can severely hinder progress

 

Regarding what the UN and governments can do to boost innovation in water, these main points came from the panel:

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• Move beyond convening and pledging and towards genuine co-creation of solutions

• Do more to help governments understand the economic value of water

• Develop a shared culture and language with the private sector on innovation

• Build capacity in public authorities to accelerate innovation

• Structure the partnerships themselves more innovatively.

 

There is much more detail on the survey and all these points in this Briefing Note.

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The survey was carried out by Global Water Intelligence in partnership with AquaFed, IDRA, CEO Water Mandate and CDP.