The event is part of the activities related to the International Year on Freshwater and takes place during the UN Commission for Sustainable Development's 11th session that is meeting in New York until May 9th. Headlining the event is HRH the Prince of Orange, with a number of distinguished personalities. Chairing the debate is H.E. Mr. Ronnie Kasrils, Minister for Water Affairs and Forestry of South Africa, who will set the stage and moderate the discussions.

Sir Richard will describe the ways in which the WSSCC has been able to respond to the calls for meeting the MDGs and report on progress with regard to the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for all (WASH) campaign that is now poised to accelerate activities in many developing countries. Following successful global advocacy efforts that helped to push for the acceptance of the sanitation goal, WASH is gaining speed and involving people in communities, schools, the media and many organizations in both developed and developing countries.

Other speakers include Prof. Albert Wright of the Task Force on the MDGs in water and sanitation, H.E. Ambassador Rashid Alimov of Tajikistan and Mr. Nitin Desai, Under Secretary-General of Economic and Social Affairs and Ms. Jennifer Francis, Executive Secretary of the Gender and Water Alliance. Mr. William Cosgrove of the World Water Council and Japan's Ambassador to the UN, Mr. Koichi Haraguchi will report on the outcome of the Third World Water Forum held in Kyoto last March.

Eirah Gorre-Dale
Communications Adviser & Media Spokesperson
Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council
International Environment House, 9 Chemin des Anemones
Chatelaine CH1219 Geneva, Switzerland
In New York:
2 UN Plaza, Rm. DC2-2018
New York, N.Y. 10017 U.S.A.
Tel.+1(917) 367-2420; Cell:+1(914) 309-5491
Fax.+1(917) 367-3391
E-mail: gorre-dale@un.org
www.wsscc.org