WaterAid briefing document
WaterAid response to the final draft of the
outcome document for the summit to adopt the
post-2015 agenda
WaterAid welcomes the vision of member states in the 2nd draft of the outcome
document. We are pleased to see the increased visibility of water and sanitation in
the preamble and included as a dedicated goal with ambitious targets on universal
access to water, sanitation and hygiene. In a world where one in ten people live
without basic water, and one in three without basic sanitation, this is a crisis that
demands global attention.
Key comments and recommendations
Please find below our key comment and specific recommendations on the final draft.
A track changes version with specific language changes is included in Annex 1:
1. We welcome the revisions to the preamble, particularly the explicit inclusion of
water and sanitation under the “people” section.
2. We are encouraged by language in paragraph 4 on prioritising those furthest
behind in access to basic services. ‘No one left behind’ must remain at the
forefront of the translation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to
national context. We now call on member states to go further and include
within the declaration an explicit commitment to an inclusive and consultative
process of identifying marginalised groups, who should be prioritised in goal
progress and monitoring. It should also note that inequalities exist within
countries. A huge number of citizens without basic services live in middle
income countries and they must not be forgotten.
3. The vision as outlined in paragraph 7 is encouraging but contains an error
which should be rectified. Paragraph 7 implies that the vision is of a world
where water will be a human right. This is unnecessary as water is already a
human right. We propose changing that sentence to “A world where the
human right to safe and affordable drinking water and adequate and
accessible sanitation is realised and hygiene is available for all. A world where
food is safe, affordable and nutritious”.
4. ‘Water and sanitation’ should be added to the list of traditional development
priorities in paragraph 14. In particular, Given that sanitation is one of the
most off-track of the MDG targets, it must be considered part of the
“unfinished business”
.
5. Throughout the declaration several references are made to water and some to
sanitation. Despite it being one of the most cost effective human development
interventions and a fully universal issue, hygiene is left out. We must do better
[email protected]
www.wateraid.org/post2015resources
WaterAid is a registered charity: Australia: ABN 99 700 687 141. Canada: 119288934 RR0001. Sweden: Org.nr: 802426-1268, PG: 90 01 62-9, BG: 900-1629.
UK: 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland). US: WaterAid America is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization
1
WaterAid briefing document
than the MDGs which ignored hygiene and particularly handwashing. Member
states should add in references alongside water and sanitation in the
preamble and declaration
6. Knowing whether we are making progress is critical and the indicators being
developed by the Inter-Agency Expert Group (IAEG) must not lower ambition
(as referenced in the declaration). Hygiene must be included as an indicator
within the water and sanitation goal if the agenda of eradicating extreme
poverty is to be met.
7. The recognition of universal health coverage is critical. However, this must
mean more than just providing financial protection. Prevention is better than
cure, and including water, sanitation and hygiene as a preventative element of
universal health coverage is an integral part of this. Like hygiene, the IAEG
should include water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) access at home and in
healthcare facilities as indicators of health coverage and quality care, as part
of a composite indicator for universal health coverage.
8. As noted throughout the document, member states are committed to making
the SDGs an ambitious project. It is imperative that we do not undercut the
ambition of the targets by choosing fewer indicators than target elements.
This is neither logical, nor would it promote meaningful accountability. Current
proposals being discussed by the IAEG for hygiene and neglected tropical
disease (elements of targets 6.2 and 3.3) risk just this. If no one is to be left
behind, every target must have meaningful indicators that reflect the breadth
of their ambition.
[email protected]
www.wateraid.org/post2015resources
WaterAid is a registered charity: Australia: ABN 99 700 687 141. Canada: 119288934 RR0001. Sweden: Org.nr: 802426-1268, PG: 90 01 62-9, BG: 900-1629.
UK: 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland). US: WaterAid America is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization
2
WaterAid briefing document
Annex 1 – Track change proposals to the Final Draft
Preamble:
People
We want to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential. We want to end
poverty in all its forms; end hunger and malnutrition; promote human dignity; combat
inequalities in and between countries; achieve gender equality and empower all
women and girls; ensure quality education, water, sanitation, hygiene and a healthy
life for all; and secure the participation of all people and groups, including children, in
the realization of the new Goals and targets.
Planet
We must respect and safeguard our common home. We want to protect the planet
so that it can support the needs of present and future generations. We will conserve
and sustainably use our rivers, oceans and seas; fight climate change; protect and
restore ecosystems; combat desertification, land degradation and biodiversity loss;
promote safe and inclusive cities and human settlements; and promote disaster risk
reduction.
Declaration:
7. In these goals and targets, we are setting out a supremely ambitious and
transformational vision. We envisage a world free of poverty, hunger, disease and
want, where all life can thrive. We envisage a world free of fear and violence. A world
with universal access to quality education and to health care and social protection,
where physical, mental and social well-being are assured. A world where the
human right to safe and affordable drinking water, and adequate and
accessible sanitation is realised and hygiene is available for all. A world where
food is safe, affordable and nutritious A world where human habitats are safe,
resilient and sustainable and there is affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
13. Almost fifteen years ago, the Millennium Development Goals were agreed.
These provided an important framework for development and significant progress
has been made in a number of areas. But the progress has been uneven, particularly
in Africa and least developed countries, and some of the MDGs remain off-track, in
particular those related to sanitation and maternal, newborn and child health. We
recommit ourselves to the full realization of the off-track MDGs. The new Agenda
builds on the Millennium Development Goals and seeks to complete what these did
not achieve.
[email protected]
www.wateraid.org/post2015resources
WaterAid is a registered charity: Australia: ABN 99 700 687 141. Canada: 119288934 RR0001. Sweden: Org.nr: 802426-1268, PG: 90 01 62-9, BG: 900-1629.
UK: 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland). US: WaterAid America is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization
3
WaterAid briefing document
14. In its scope, however, the framework we are announcing today goes far beyond
the MDGs. Alongside continuing development priorities such as poverty eradication,
health, water and sanitation, education and food security and nutrition, it sets out a
wide range of economic and environmental objectives. It also promises more
peaceful and inclusive societies. It also, crucially, defines means of implementation.
Reflecting the integrated approach which we have decided on, there are deep
interconnections and many cross-cutting elements across the new goals and targets.
21. Each country faces specific challenges in its pursuit of sustainable development.
The most vulnerable countries and, in particular, African countries, least developed
countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states
deserve special attention, as do countries in situations of conflict. Serious
challenges of inequality exist within many middle-income countries and we
recognise that our first duty is protect the poorest in our societies wherever
they may live.
[email protected]
www.wateraid.org/post2015resources
WaterAid is a registered charity: Australia: ABN 99 700 687 141. Canada: 119288934 RR0001. Sweden: Org.nr: 802426-1268, PG: 90 01 62-9, BG: 900-1629.
UK: 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland). US: WaterAid America is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization
4