International Year of Freshwater 2003

In his report to the fifty-seventh session of the UN General Assembly, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, describes the current and planned activities, initiatives and networking at local, national and international levels, that are gearing up for 2003 – the International Year of Freshwater.

In Chapter V of the report (UN document A/57/132) to the current session, the Secretary-General summarizes partnership initiatives, the first being the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council and the text states as follows:

"45.  The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council is a multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to enhancing collaboration in the water supply and sanitation sector, and is working in close cooperation with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.  The Council’s thematic networks focus on hygiene promotion, environmental sanitation, institutional and management reform and community-based approaches, including a code of ethics and gender mainstreaming.  The Council has recently launched a campaign entitled “WASH: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for all”, aimed at mobilizing political support and action around the world to end the suffering of the more than 2.4 billion people who are without access to adequate sanitation and the 1.1 billion without a safe and affordable water supply.  A “WASH the World” campaign is envisioned for key conferences and events, and some 30 countries are being earmarked for support to implement the proposed WASH initiative.

46.  The Council will be undertaking a number of advocacy and communication activities related to the International Year of Freshwater, focusing on the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.  In particular, it will be expanding its outreach to increase public awareness of water, sanitation and hygiene as keys to poverty alleviation and sustainable development.  With members in over 140 countries, the Council will continue to play an important role in the promotion of water and sanitation, particularly at the Third World Water Forum, to be held in Japan in March 2003.  Throughout the Year, the Council and its partners will be holding dialogues, virtual forums, exhibitions and round tables around WASH-related themes, featuring key personalities, representatives of governments, NGOs and members of civil society, the private sector, men, women and children.  The year-long activities will culminate in Dakar, with the holding of the sixth global forum of the Council in December 2003.” 

The Secretary-General is recommending “Member States to consider setting up national committees or designating focal points in their respective countries to facilitate and promote activities related to the Year, to consider new partnerships.”  The WSSCC is part of a Communications Task Force that is making preparations for the Year, in coordination with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and UNESCO.

Copies of the full report in all UN working languages can be obtained from:
Ms. Eirah Gorre-Dale, Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC)
c/o UN DESA, Water, Natural Resources and SIDS Branch, Division for Sustainable Development, DC2-2018,
New York. N.Y. 10017. Tel. +1(917) 327-2420 - Cell. +1(914) 309-5491 - Fax. +1(917) 327-3391
E-mail: gorre-dale@un.org