Launch of the International Year of Sanitation 2008

On 21st November 2007 the UN launched the International Year of Sanitation (IYS) to put the current global crisis at the forefront of the political agenda. The ceremony included statements of high level participants and was well attended by UN Member States, NGOs, citizen groups, academics and the private sector as well as members of the Secretary-General’s Advisory Board. The discourses delivered by his Royal Highness the Prince of Orange and Chair of UNSGAB; UNICEF Executive Director, Ms. Ann Veneman; UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for education, Ms. Angelique Kidjo; World Bank Director Energy, Transport and Water, Mr. Jamal Saghir and UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon reflected the five key messages for the international year: sanitation is vital for human health, it generates economic benefits, contributes to dignity and social development, helps the environment, and, providing a framework for action, sanitation is achievable. Indeed, every $ 1 spent on improving sanitation generates an average economic benefit of $ 9! Hence, IYS is a call for collective and effective action.

The need for action was specifically emphasized by the Prince of Orange. He wisely reminded policymakers, opinion leaders and various stakeholders to undertake a supreme effort to make proper sanitation available to all people, before highlighting one of the principal truths about the barriers to universal access to sanitation: “I don’t think money is the biggest issue. If we take collective action to provide water and sanitation, the money will follow. The problem is largely one of priority and political will”. WSSCC encourages its members and partners to convey the key messages to politicians and decision makers to break down the barriers that deprive 2.6 billion people of the chance to defecate in dignity.

For more information visit http://www.wsscc.org/