Resources / WSSCC pushes WASH issues at UN Least Developed Countries conference

WSSCC Chair Prof. Anna Tibaijuka and Executive Director Jon Lane are participating in the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (UN LDC-IV) in Istanbul, Turkey, being held 9 to 14 May. 

The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are currently suffering from the decrease in demand for goods, reduction in export revenues and the fall in the prices as a result of the economic vulnerability and uncertainty triggered by the global economic crisis.

WSSCC is actively involved in the conference to help ensure that sanitation and hygiene issues are prominent. During the session on “Water issues in the LDCs,” Prof. Tibaijuka will give a presentation entitled “For Health, Dignity and Economic Development: the Vital Roles of Sanitation, Hygiene and Water Supply in Developing Countries” on the morning of Wednesday, 11 May. Later that day, she will be a lead discussant in the thematic debate on “Reducing vulnerabilities, responding to emerging challenges and enhancing food security in the LDCs.” 

In addition, WSSCC was part of a coalition organizing “The World Walks for Water” – advocacy events held on World Water Day (March 2011).  Through these events, a manifesto has been developed for distribution at the conference, including a call for action to increase access to water and sanitation in LDCs. 

High level participation of approximately 10,000 people consisting of Heads of States and Governments, parliamentarians, NGOs and the representatives of the private sector of the LDCs and the UN Member States is expected.

At the end of the conference, the “Istanbul Programme of Action”, which will determine the global development perspective towards the LDCs for 2011-2020 and include principles and recommendations for the improvement of social and economic state of the LDCs, will be adopted.

Conference website: http://www.ldc4istanbul.org/index.php.