Welcoming Gains towards Sanitation, Water for All, Deputy Secretary-General Urges

 

Sustained Momentum, Elimination of Barriers to Meeting Commitments

 

Following is UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson’s statement on the release of the 2013 Progress Update on the 2012 Sanitation and Water for All High-Level Meeting Commitments, today, 14 August:

I warmly welcome the encouraging steps forward reported in the 2013 Progress Update issued today by the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership.  Political will and concrete action have led to significant gains on a majority of the SWA commitments.

I am especially encouraged by the increased budgets, strengthened national planning and reduced numbers of people practising open defecation.  I congratulate the leaders and all those responsible for these achievements, which are critical for the realization of universal access to sanitation and water.

Our challenge now is to maintain momentum and eliminate barriers to delivering the remaining commitments.  Strengthening financing systems, carrying out institutional reforms and addressing gaps in human resources will be critical.  I encourage all development partners to support these efforts.

In April 2014, the SWA partnership will hold its third high-level meeting.  I look forward to a productive dialogue on how we can set a course to make sanitation and water for all a reality.

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For information media • not an official record