Human Right to Water and Sustainable Development Goal 6: Legal Perspectives on Sustainable Water Governance

Access to safe and sufficient water is essential for human survival, public health, and sustainable development. The recognition of the human right to water under international law has significantly influenced global efforts to improve water governance and expand access to water and sanitation services. At the same time, Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. This study examines the relationship between the human right to water and SDG 6 from the perspective of international law and sustainable water governance. Employing a qualitative doctrinal legal research approach, the study analyses international legal instruments, policy documents, and relevant academic literature concerning water rights, sustainable development, and water governance. The findings reveal that international human rights law provides an important normative foundation for SDG 6 by establishing principles of availability, accessibility, affordability, equality, participation, and accountability. However, significant challenges continue to impede the achievement of SDG 6, including governance weaknesses, institutional fragmentation, financial constraints, climate change, and persistent inequalities in access to water and sanitation services. The study further demonstrates that a human rights-based approach can strengthen the implementation of SDG 6 by promoting more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable water governance. The study contributes to the existing literature by integrating international human rights law and sustainable development perspectives while highlighting the role of human rights principles in advancing global water security and sustainable development objectives.