End Water Poverty hits Kyoto and New York
End Water Poverty takes its calls for action on water and sanitation to Japan.
UN Headquarters in New York
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G8 and United Nations pressed to deliver a Global Action Plan on water and sanitation
30 May 2008
Late April, End Water Poverty took its calls for action on water and sanitation to Japan, this year's G8 host country, as part of a dialogue between civil society and G8 governments.
At the event, civil society representatives agreed a joint statement on what the G8 should deliver this July, and held a round-table discussion with 'sherpas' (the chief negotiators) from each G8 country. When pressed, the sherpas assured delegates that water and sanitation would be discussed by the G8, but fell short of committing to delivering a Global Action Plan to drive progress, making continued campaigning essential.
Mid-May, End Water Poverty traveled to UN HQ in New York to participate in the Commission for Sustainable Development, where countries were reviewing there progress on meeting water and sanitation goals. As part of the process, WaterAid's Policy Director Margaret Batty delivered a powerful speech to UN member states, demanding accelerated progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and, in calling for an increased focus on sanitation, encouraging countries to 'talk s**t' to save lives. A public meeting was also held with the Japanese Ambassador to the UN who promised to promote the issue to his Government in the run up to the G8.
Finally, in a statement to the UN, the Italian Government pledged that water would be a 'high priority' for discussions during the G8 in Italy in 2009. If followed through, this could be a significant step in continuing the momentum created so far this year.