UNSGAB sees integrated water resources management (IWRM) and Nexus thinking as important for sustainable growth. They are complementary: the Nexus emphasizes engaging with other sectors to promote improved social welfare and equity while IWRM focuses more on a comprehensive approach within the water sector and provides the tools for implementation. Both approaches help to allow sustainable growth and protect essential environmental services. Better coordination between federal and local governments as well as among various departments and sectors is needed to curb damaging externalities, reduce waste and sustainably harness all our resources. Many efforts to address water challenges also have significant potential to generate climate change benefits on both mitigation and adaptation.

The Board commits to:

• Make the connection between the IWRM and Nexus concept by showing their conceptual compatibility and complementarity.
  The Nexus Approach vs IWRM Gaining Conceptual Clarity
• Cooperate with organizers of events such as the Yellow River Forum in the context of the Nexus approach and share latest concepts and achievements in the realm of integrated river basin management.
• Advocate for wastewater collection, treatment and reuse to be viewed as an essential part of the Nexus challenge.
• Work with the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on considering water and energy issues in the context of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land.
• Engage with Sustainable Energy for All and UN-Energy on how to address Nexus trade-offs in regional energy approaches.
• Try to identify co-benefit opportunities through cooperation with the World Bank, Regional Development Banks and the OECD concerning the financing of IWRM and Nexus activities.
• Encourage and cooperate with water stewardship initiatives.
• Promote the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Water Courses by encouraging the necessary ratifications.

The success of all these efforts depends on national action and partner activities:

• UN-Water, FAO and UN-Energy (as well as other relevant organizations such as the UN European Economic Commission, UNEP, World Bank & Sustainable Energy for All) engage in a Nexus discussion in view of its reflection in the post-2015 process as well as the SDGs.
• The UN-Water Thematic Priority Area on climate change engages in work on the Nexus.
• German Development Cooperation continues, and others take up, promotion of regional and national Nexus activities.
• Regional organizations, particularly in Africa, South Asia and Oceanic countries engage independently with further Nexus dialogues focusing on regionally specific issues and implementation barriers.