IN FOCUS

Launch of the Millennium Development Goals Report 2010

First agreed at the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000, the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set worldwide objectives for reducing extreme poverty and hunger, improving health and education, empowering women and ensuring environmental sustainability by 2015.

The Millennium Development Goals Report, an annual assessment of regional progress towards the Goals, reflects the most comprehensive, up-to-date data compiled by over 25 UN and international agencies. Produced by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the report has been designated by the UN General Assembly as an official input to the MDG summit. The MDG summit will take place in New York, 20-22 September 2010, to agree on a plan to accelerate global action on the Goals.

The Millennium Development Goals Report 2010, launched on 23 June by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, shows that the world has made huge strides in reducing extreme poverty, tackling HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and boosting access to clean drinking water, but is still lagging in other critical areas, such as improving maternal health and increasing access to decent sanitation.

>> Access the MDGs Report 2010 [ 6.34 MB]

NEWS

Release of UNW-DPAC annual activity report for 2009

The United Nations Office to Support the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life’ 2005-2015, which implements the UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC), presents its annual report of activities for 2009.
> > Access the Annual Report for 2009

Final Report of the Conference "Clean Water for a Healthy World"

The final report of the Conference "Clean Water for a Healthy World," which was held in Zaragoza, Spain, on 22 March 2010 on the occasion of World Water Day is available online.
> > More information

> > Archived news stories  

EVENTS

8 September 2010: UN-Water dialogue session on ‘Sick water is threatening the MDGs: A stakeholder dialogue to address capacity development and communication needs’

This session, convened by UN-Water at the Stockholm World Water Week, will bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss the current situation and challenges related to water quality and wastewater production and management. Specifically, it looks at the ways different agents can provide solutions and response options to improve water quality and ensure sustainable development. The discussion will build on the outcomes of ‘Sick Water. The central role of wastewater management in sustainable development’, a report produced by UNEP and UN-Habitat in March 2010.
> > More information

26 September 2010: World Rivers Day

World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourage the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Join the Celebration! Plan on attending an event near you or start a Rivers Day event on your own. Events can range from stream cleanups to educational outings and community riverside celebrations.
> > Access the official website

> > Archived events stories