IN FOCUS
20-22 September 2010: High-Level Plenary Meeting of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly, United Nations, New York
With only five years left until the 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on world leaders to attend a summit in New York on 20-22 September to accelerate progress towards the MDGs. The Summit will bring together world leaders to review progress, identify gaps, and commit to a concrete action agenda to achieve the MDGs and internationally agreed development goals.
In addition to statements by world leaders and round tables on key issues, a number of high-profile side events are expected to focus on specific initiatives. On 22 September, Korea, Liberia, Senegal, Tajikistan and the United States of America organize a side-event on “Addressing the Global Water and Sanitation Challenge: the key to the MDGs”. The side event will take place at 7:30 am at the Delegates Dining Room and its purpose is to raise awareness of the fact that an investment in sanitation and water represents and reinforces investments in all the MDGs. Also on 22 September, at 6:15 pm, Bolivia organizes a side event on “The Human Right to Water and Sanitation” at the ECOSOC Room, North Lawn Building.
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NEWS
Health Risks in Flood-Hit Pakistan still a major concern
Health risks remain a major concern in flood-hit Pakistan, where large swathes of territory remain under water one month after the disaster struck and hundreds of thousands of people have yet to receive humanitarian assistance. Paul Garwood of the World Health Organization (WHO) said that disease is a major concern, particularly for water- and vector-borne diseases in flood-affected districts, especially in Sindh and Punjab.
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Make a noise for the Millennium Development Goals
From 17 to 19 September 2010, the initiative ‘Make a noise for the Millennium Development Goals’ will mobilize Spanish citizens against poverty in view of the celebration of the Millennium Development Goals Summit that will take place in New York from 20 to 22 September.
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UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution Recognizing Access to Clean Water and Sanitation as Human Right
By a vote of 122 in favour to none against, with 41 abstentions, the UN General Assembly adopted on 28 July 2010 a resolution calling on States and international organizations to provide financial resources, build capacity and transfer technology, particularly to developing countries, in scaling up efforts to provide safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all. The resolution “declares the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.”
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Contribute to the UN World Water Development Report
In an ongoing effort to make the United Nations World Water Development Report more relevant to all of its target audiences, the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) is carrying out regular consultations with stakeholders from all fields to identify specific needs or issues and emerging challenge areas. WWAP has now opened registration to anyone who may be interested in the consultation process.
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> > Archived news stories
EVENTS
21 September 2010: Sharing social tools: building a water operators’ community of practice, Montréal, Canada
As the main providers of drinking water to the world’s population, water operators have great power to communicate, show by example, and inspire their customers to act in solidarity towards common environmental and development goals. Increasingly, water operators are engaging in awareness-raising campaigns, international development, and corporate social responsibility efforts. During this UN-Water development corner session, that will take place at the 2010 IWA World Water Congress, different experiences, lessons learned and practices in this field with particular emphasis on strategies in poor and rural areas will be discussed.
> > Programme agenda [ - 250 KB]
> > Speakers profile [ - 106 KB]
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26 September 2010: World Rivers Day
World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourage the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Join the Celebration! Plan on attending an event near you or start a Rivers Day event on your own. Events can range from stream cleanups to educational outings and community riverside celebrations.
> > Access the official website
13-17 December 2010: Sustainable Water Management in Cities: engaging stakeholders for effective change and action, Zaragoza, Spain
This global meeting, jointly organized by the UN-Water Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) , the SWITCH consortium, and the Zaragoza City Council, will bring together more than 200 experts, local government officials, media specialists, key water operators and political representatives of cities and stakeholder groups to discuss the issues and propose practical ways to move forward to meet the challenges of achieving water and sanitation for all, of disseminating results to a wider audience, and considering different development contexts and regional characteristics. The meeting is also an intermediary step in the preparation for World Water Day 2011, which focuses on the issue of urban water management.
> > Conference website
> > Archived events stories
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Until 14 September 2010 