Safe Water

The text highlights the significance and activities surrounding the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (IDWSSD), initiated following the Water Conference in Mar del Plata in 1977 and subsequent UN General Assembly Resolution in 1980:

Origin and Participation:

• The IDWSSD aimed to address global challenges in providing safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. About 120 developing countries actively participated in the UNDP program during this decade.

Challenges and Efforts:

• Despite efforts during the IDWSSD, significant challenges remain in providing safe drinking water and sanitation to approximately 2 billion people worldwide who lack access to these essential services.

Global Consultation:

• To review and learn from the decade’s efforts, a global consultation on Safe Water and Sanitation was held in Delhi. Sponsored by the UNDP, this consultation gathered representatives from developing countries, specialized agencies, and NGOs.
• The consultation aimed to formulate strategies for environmentally sustainable water supply and sanitation services for the next decade. Its outcomes were intended to be presented at the UN General Assembly’s 45th session in November.

Future Outlook:

• The resolutions and outcomes from this consultation are expected to urge governments and communities to prioritize and allocate more resources towards water supply and sanitation initiatives globally.

Overall, the IDWSSD and its concluding activities underscore the ongoing global efforts and challenges in ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation as fundamental human rights and essential components of public health and sustainable development.