Policies, institutions, and regulation (PIR) are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water and sanitation, but need a considerable boost to be effective. A rich body of analytical work has been developed to support this idea.

Nevertheless, this report argues that the mainstreaming and implementation of PIR into concrete reforms, investment programs and infrastructure is still sporadic at best. At the same time, the stakes for getting PIR right are higher than ever. PIR needs to be strengthened, adjusted, and scaled up to meet the needs of a changing world.