In preparation for the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), to be celebrated on 22 May 2013 around the globe under the theme 'Water and Biodiversity,' the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has circulated the IDB's logo, a booklet and messages, which are available for use by parties in their celebrations.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) held a thematic debate, titled “Sustainable Development and Climate Change: Practical Solutions in the Energy-Water Nexus,” which brought together environment and development experts to discuss the linkages among climate change, energy supply and water availability in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.

The Global Water Forum (GWF) released a discussion paper, titled “Water Finance: Preparing for the Next Critical Juncture,” which explores public and private financing for water infrastructure and sanitation services in developing countries. The authors, Diego Rodriguez and Amanda McMahon, recognize limitations in water financing but argue that a new generation of water infrastructure financing will emerge.

The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Pacific "Implementing Sustainable Water Resources and Wastewater Management in Pacific Island Countries" project has issued progress snapshots for Fiji, Majuro Atoll (Marshall Islands), Niue, Palau and Samoa.

The project titled 'Ridge to Reef – Community to Catchment', which is funded by the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) 'Implementing Sustainable Water Resources and Wastewater Management in Pacific Island Countries' project (GEF Pacific IWRM Project), has reported improved national coordination in the water and sanitation sectors and enhanced community involvement in water resource management in the Pohnpei and Chuuk states, part of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

The European Commission adopted a green infrastructure strategy designed to: promote green infrastructure in the main policy areas; improve research and data, strengthen the knowledge base and promote innovative technologies; improve access to finance for green infrastructure projects; and support EU-level green infrastructure projects. The main policy areas include agriculture, forestry, nature, water, marine and fisheries, regional and cohesion policy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, transport, energy, disaster prevention and land use policies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) released the 2013 update on the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply and Sanitation, 'Progress on Sanitation and Drinking-Water,' which presents global, regional and country estimates for 2011.

The latest issue of 'UNCCD News,' published by the Secretariat of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) focuses on the issue of drought and, in particular, the outcomes from the High-level Meeting on National Drought Policy (HMNDP).

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Centre in Astana, Kazakhstan, helped conduct an online seminar for prosecutors in Kazakhstan to train them in the prosecution of crimes related to accidents caused by water mismanagement and make them aware of broader regional water security issues.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) made a US$30 million equity investment in NSL Renewable Power Private Ltd. (NRPPL) for the construction of hydropower and wind power projects designed to generate 530 gigawatt-hours of electricity in India. The projects are expected to decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 400,000 tons per annum after 2017.