Analysis of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3 ('30x30') as it applies to freshwater and inland water ecosystems. Target 3 commits to conserving 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal/marine areas by 2030, with emphasis on ecologically representative and well-connected systems. Current status: South Africa has passed the halfway mark for inland water conservation under existing protected area and stewardship programmes, but significant gaps remain for certain river and wetland types. Challenges unique to freshwater 30x30 implementation: linear and connected nature of rivers (protecting a river section requires managing the entire upstream catchment), distinction between in-stream and landscape-level protection, need for connectivity corridors, influence of upstream land use on downstream conservation, and cross-border dependencies. Freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) identified globally as priority sites. Tools: Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPA), Systematic Conservation Planning, Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) in bioregional plans. Implementation mechanisms: formal protected areas, conservation stewardship, biodiversity management agreements, and water resource classification.