This publication describes how building partnerships and enhancing cooperation across every dimension of sustainable development are essential components to accelerating progress towards realizing the human rights to water and sanitation. Partnerships and cooperation take place in almost any water-related endeavour and water resources management has a long history of experience with partnerships, both good and bad. This report reviews this experience, highlighting how enhancing positive and meaningful cooperation amongst the water, sanitation and broader ‘development’ communities is required to accelerate progress.