Water Sanitation and Health
Our vision and mission are the attainment by all peoples of the lowest possible burden of water and sanitation-related disease through primary prevention.

Align to accelerate - monitoring the strength of WASH systems

A smiling little girl pouring water on her head
UNICEF/UN0290924/Llaurado
© Credits

The goal of Align to Accelerate (A2A) is to develop a common monitoring and review framework comprised of an agreed set of core indicators that operate together as “vital signs” to measure and track the strength of WASH systems at national level. 

 Through a phased approach, the objectives of A2A are:

  • to steer a process for development of a set of core indicators and a common monitoring and review framework to monitor the strength of WASH systems;
  • to pilot in a few selected, but diverse, country settings: data collection, data visualization and data use by national and regional/global actors, based upon a localized approach; and
  • to support governments and partners in the establishment of a process for regular national monitoring and review of the strength of WASH systems, e.g. evidence-based joint sector review-type process, based on a set of national indicators that will include the core indicators.

The A2A initiative is being implemented through a four-phased approach: (1) preparatory phase including consultations, A2A background and discussion papers, (2) consultations and development of core indicators, (3) pilot testing to finalize core indicators and develop common monitoring and review framework; and (4) upscaling led by countries with aligned support from development partners. 

For more information, please contact washmonitoring@who.int.  Sign up to receive information and updates about the project.

Public consultation on the shortlist of Align to Accelerate candidate core indicators for monitoring WASH systems

WHO and UNICEF, in collaboration with the World Bank Group, are pleased to launch the public consultation on the shortlist of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems candidate core indicators for the Align to Accelerate (A2A) initiative. 

We welcome your input in this public consultation. To participate in the consultation, please review the document with the A2A shortlist of candidate core indicators which includes 25 candidate core indicators, as well as an additional 14 candidate “country context at-a-glance” indicators and complete this survey by 31 October 2026.

If you have any questions about the public consultation and/or survey, please contact washmonitoring@who.int. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Read the full details of the consultation | Download the shortlist of A2A candidate core indicators

Related publications

GLAAS strategy 23-30 cover
This strategy outlines WHO’s approach for monitoring WASH systems, including determining a set of key WASH systems indicators, and improving data use through...
Strong systems and sound investments: Evidence on and key insights into accelerating progress on sanitation, drinking-water and hygiene

The UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) 2022 report compiles new data on drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene...

Hygiene - UN-Water GLAAS findings on national policies, plans, targets and finance

Understanding how governments and external support agencies (ESAs) are addressing hygiene is critical during the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to...

publication cover

WHO and UNICEF, working with the Global Task Team for monitoring WASH in health care facilities (HCF), have developed a set of core questions and indicators...

Related health topics