Breaking the Silos: Pathways for Integrated Water, Sanitation, and Climate Action.

As the global community faces rising climate pressures, persistent water scarcity, and systemic development challenges, one thing is increasingly clear: isolated responses are no longer enough. The interconnected nature of these crises demands an equally interconnected response; one that bridges ministries, sectors, and mandates.

In the lead-up to the 2025 Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM) scheduled for October in Madrid, Spain, the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership is convening a series of regional ministerial roundtables aimed at fostering a shared political commitment to integration. These high-level discussions provide an opportunity for ministers of water, sanitation, environment, and climate to reflect, strategize, and prepare to work more cohesively for shared development outcomes.

At the heart of these efforts is a bold ambition: to shift from fragmented service delivery and policy development toward a more unified approach anchored in human rights, sustainable financing, and climate resilience.

Why This Matters for Sierra Leone and the Global South?

For countries like Sierra Leone, where the burden of poor water and sanitation services is compounded by climate vulnerabilities and financial constraints, an integrated approach is not just beneficial—it is essential. Ministries too often operate in silos, leading to missed opportunities, duplication of efforts, and policies that fall short of responding to the realities on the ground.

WASHNet welcomes the focus on political dialogue as a foundation for breaking these silos. Through these ministerial roundtables, governments are being asked to consider:

• What does integration mean within their national context?
• What legal, financial, or institutional barriers exist—and how can they be overcome?
• How can national leadership drive coordination across ministries, departments and agencies, including local authorities for more efficient and resilient service delivery?
• What cross-sectoral platforms or alliances are already existing or emerging that we can build upon?

Looking Ahead to the 2025 Sector Ministers’ Meeting

The 2025 SMM will be hosted by the Government of Spain and is expected to mark a turning point in how countries approach WASH and climate governance. One major outcome of the meeting will be the launch of a High-Level Leaders Compact on Water Security and Resilience—a global commitment to embed integration at the highest levels of political leadership.

WASHNet supports this direction and calls on all national stakeholders—especially within Sierra Leone—to engage meaningfully in the lead-up to the meeting. The roundtables scheduled for July 29, held under Chatham House Rules, are a key part of this process. They will enable open, frank conversations between peers, helping to align national efforts with broader global frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

A Moment for Political Courage

These aren’t just technical conversations. They are political ones—requiring a willingness to shift long-standing institutional practices and rethink how we govern shared resources. For countries facing overlapping crises, this is an opportunity to unlock greater coherence in planning, budgeting, and delivering results.

WASHNet remains committed to supporting the Government of Sierra Leone and its partners to prepare for this pivotal moment. As a civil society actor rooted in systems strengthening, we believe the future of water, sanitation, and climate services depends on breaking down the barriers between ministries, between mandates, and between rhetoric and action.