Solving global water problems is central to eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development. The UNSG's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) is an independent body established in March 2004 by United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, to give him advice as well as to galvanize action on water and sanitation issues.

Chaired by His Royal Highness the Prince of the Netherlands, the Board is composed of a wide range of dignitaries, technical experts, and individuals with proven experience in providing inspiration, moving the machinery of government, as well as working with the media, the private sector and civil society.

UNSGAB Secretariat is hosted by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations.

The United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Sanitation is embarking on their next strategic phase with the release of the Hashimoto Action Plan II. In only a few years, world leaders will assess progress made towards the Millennium Development Goals, including the targets to halve by 2015 the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Getting the right policies, strategies and actions in place during the next three years is absolutely critical. The Hashimoto Action Plan II contributes to this effort by motivating, convening and galvanizing its partners to achieve objectives in five key areas: financing, sanitation, monitoring & reporting, integrated water resources management and water and disaster. [Download HAP II ]

Minutes of the 14th Board Meeting in Singapore

Urgent Need for Sanitation and Water Focus

Water Issues: Contributing to the Success of the eighteenth and nineteenth sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development UN-Water and the United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) have prepared a background document for the eighteenth and nineteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-18/19) that highlights the water related aspects of the current CSD's thematic issues of mining, sustainable production and consumption, chemicals, transport and waste management. Download...

Chair's Action @ High-level Meeting on Sanitation and Water For all The Chair of the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation delivered speeches at the High-level Meeting on Sanitation and Water For all (23 April, Washington, DC). Read Chair's speech...

Chair of UNSGAB participates in Live Earth Run for Water, Amsterdam 18 April

High-level Meeting on Sanitation and Water For all High-level Meeting on Sanitation and Water For all (23 April, Washington, DC), co-hosted by UNICEF and the World Bank, will focus on commitments to address the underpinning obstacles to increased access to sanitation and water. The Chair of the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation will deliver opening remarks. Further information...