At the end of 2000, 1.1 billion people lacked access to safe drinking water and 2.4 billion people were without basic sanitation. As a result, nearly 3.5 million people die every year from diseases related to water and sanitation.

The Millennium Declaration, adopted by all Member States of the United Nations in September 2000, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in September 2002, defined specific goals to effectively pursue the water and sanitation agenda.

Thereafter, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) defined "to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation" as one of its targets. In fact, this target will be critical for reaching the other MDGs, in particular the ones relating to mortality, morbidity and gender equality. By the same token, a broader, integrated approach to water is required to fully take account of the important interactions between the different aspects of the water sector, such as irrigation, water pollution, wastewater treatment and water management, with an emphasis on poverty reduction.

The goals adopted at the Millennium Summit and WSSD have created significant momentum, but the tasks ahead are enormous.

To assist the international community, the United Nations Member States and the international organizations to achieve the MDG related to water and sanitation, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan highlighted the observance of World Water Day in 2004 with his announcement of the establishment of the Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, intended to galvanize global action on water and sanitation issues, which are central to the world's hopes of eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development. Former Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Ryutaro Hashimoto has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Board, which is composed of a wide range of dignitaries, technical experts, and individuals with proven experience in providing inspiration, moving the machinery of government, and working with the media, the private sector and civil society.

• give advice to UN Secretary General;
• give input in global dialogue process;
• raise global awareness through mass-media, etc.;
• influence and work on global, regional, national institutions at highest level; and
• take its own actions towards MDGs

• help to mobilize resources for water and sanitation towards achievement of MDGs and JPOI;
• publicly mobilize support and advocate for actions and ensure political visibility;
• assess progress made towards the water and sanitation goals; and
• advocate for improving the capacity of Governments and the international system

• Secretary-General Names Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (March 2004)