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Meeting History

The 12th Meeting of the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation


25 - 29, May 2009
Sofia, Bulgaria

Synthesis Report

Background

The United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board (UNSGAB) was graciously hosted by the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria in Sofia for its 12th meeting, 25 to 29 May. Members met for a working dinner on Monday May 25 for initial discussions on UNSGAB's future role and strategy. A regional dialogue with Ministers of countries belonging to the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation was held on May 27 where a Declaration on Water Supply and Sanitation in Small Rural Settlements was agreed (see Meeting Summary). UNSGAB working groups on sanitation, water operator partnerships (WOPs), water and disaster, Africa, integrated water resources management, monitoring and financing all met in break out sessions to advance their work. During the final day, all working groups reported to the entire membership after which the Board engaged in an intensive discussion about future activities.

1. Welcome

The UNSGAB Chair, His Royal Highness, Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, welcomed participants and noted that formal opening remarks would take place the following day before the Regional Ministerial Conference.

2. Discussion of UNSGAB activity since 11th UNSGAB meeting

Faraj El-Awar, Global WOPs Alliance, UN-Habitat

Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs) - Faraj El-Awar, Global WOPs Alliance Programme Manager for UN-Habitat, reported that the Alliance is now active in Africa, Asia, the Arab Region, Latin America and, most recently, in the Caribbean. And, a meeting for Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region is scheduled for this fall. A recent foundation session agreed on guiding principles for the project including inclusiveness, solidarity, accountability and transparency. In addition governance issues were clarified including steering committee structure with agreement on the representation of labour unions, private operators and others.

Members welcomed the WOPs Alliance's impressive progress. One suggested that given India's population density and water challenges, it stands to benefit from the WOPs programme as well as with representation on UNSGAB. Capacity building for corporate governance is required for utilities to access the capital markets, a member noted, and so the WOPs Alliance has a critical role to play.

Brendan Gillespie, OECD

Brendan Gillespie (OECD) said that performance and measurement are crucial for OECD's work with utilities and that information and knowledge exchange is vital. He suggested that the WOPs Alliance might provide a way to measure knowledge management. Kenzo Hiroki (UNSGAB Advisor) updated members on the WOPs workshop in Tokyo the previous week in which many Japanese utilities took part and which got major media attention.

Financing - The secretariat outlined activities including UNSGAB participation in an OECD session to input to the "Managing Water for All" report; the report was released during the Fifth World Water Forum (WWF5) in Istanbul (18 - 15 March) where UNSGAB was also present. Also during WWF5, UNSGAB hosted a bilateral donors meeting as called for in the Hashimoto Action Plan (HAP). It was a fruitful exchange of views about ODA for water and sanitation and about leverage mechanisms. It appeared that leverage effects are not yet measured by all donors. Progress on reporting is still necessary. OECD presented at the meeting its three T's concept of tariffs, taxes and transfers (the three T's) along with the need for sound strategic financial planning for water on the national level.

Finance working group members Gerard Payen and Roy Torkelson reported on a joint World Bank mission to Peru (May 18 - 22) to assess options and actions for jump starting and scaling up local financing of water utility investments. The mission found that local utilities in Peru tend to wait for national grants rather than borrowing money from the local market. Although this is a rational response given the challenges involved with local markets, local utilities cannot achieve long term viability by relying solely on national grants. In addition, private lenders believe that utilities lack adequate corporate governance, and so government guarantees are required for lending.

A member reflected that UNSGAB's work on financing has succeeded in popularizing the idea of sustainable cost recovery. The importance of strategic financial planning involving both the public sector and private sector was stressed. Another said that the energy sector's legal framework and tender process could provide insights for water managers.

Sanitation - The secretariat reviewed International Year of Sanitation (IYS) follow-up activities including UNSGAB contributions to the IYS Virtual Scrapbook - an online tool cataloguing IYS activities globally - and to the Draft Secretary-General's Report on IYS. UNSGAB members were instrumental in inserting sanitation into the Istanbul Ministerial Declaration, which clearly mentions wastewater, treatment and reuse. In addition, UNSGAB successfully lobbied to have sanitation as a theme for the next World Water Forum in 2012. UNSGAB's work on wastewater included meetings with the International Water Association, the World Water Council and UNEP, the last of which proposed a joint paper outlining human and environmental impacts of untreated wastewater. A member said that the Draft SG's report on IYS clearly demonstrates that UNSGAB's advocacy efforts on a global level have filtered down to make a real difference in countries, communities and homes.

Monitoring - The secretariat provided updates on the communications among UNSGAB, the SG, WHO, UNICEF and the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), which have led to the JMP strategic advisory group's reflection on questions raised by UNSGAB's April 2008 paper, "Monitoring and Reporting: progress of access to water and sanitation, an assessment by UNSGAB." JMP's response is expected by 30 September 2009. UNSGAB also chaired a monitoring session during the WWF5 where the question raised by UNSGAB on the need for governments to fully understand the data sets used by JMP and others was discussed. Both Madagascar and Senegal reported on their experience. In addition, the secretariat met with the Statistic Division of DESA on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Water (SEEAW).

UNSGAB's unique role in pushing for improved global monitoring tools was raised as was the need to ensure the collection of "genderized data." Johan Kuylenstierna (UN-Water) said that UNSGAB's advocacy has increased interest in monitoring while fostering progress including the "Global Annual Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water initiative" and the OECD/DAC statistical working group's disaggregating water and sanitation data. He cautioned, however, that consensus achieved within the water sector might not always extend to the statistical sector.

Disaster - The final report of the High-Level Panel on Water and Disaster was launched during WWF5 and the Panel now is defining its follow-up strategy. The Panel Chair, Dr. Han, met in April with the UNSGAB Chair and in May with Hideaki Oda. During his meeting with the SG in May, the UNSGAB Chair shared a copy of the Water and Disaster report. A member stressed that water disasters must not be seen only as humanitarian relief, but in the broader context of sustainable development and also linked to climate change.

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) - Regarding transboundary issues, the secretariat noted that Uschi Eid had sent a letter to parliamentarians encouraging ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses. Several countries have responded to the letter, Ms. Eid reported, and she agreed to share information on countries' reluctance to ratify. During WWF5, Ms. Eid also participated in the parliamentarian day round table on transboundary water. In addition, UNSGAB co-hosted a side-event with the World Wildlife Fund to promote the UN Water Courses Convention. At this moment still 18 additional ratifications are needed for entry into force of the UN water courses convention.

On climate adaptation, UNSGAB member Poul Nielson was involved in two WWF5 events, a Global Water Partnership session and a side event organized by the Danish Ministry of Foreign as part of the lead up to the Copenhagen climate change negotiations. UNSGAB also took part in the Dialogue on Land and Water Management for Climate Change Adaptation (Nairobi, 16-18 April) and was represented by Eric Odada and Maria Mutagamba.

Africa and G8 - Quick updates were provided on Africa actions. The Chair and attending UNSGAB members met with African representatives during the WWF5 to discuss follow-up to the Sharm el Sheikh declarations. In addition, the Chair met with representatives of SADC countries on the margins of the Commission on Sustainable Development in May. The African Ministers on Water Council (AMCOW), the African Union, and the African Development Bank are all in agreement that meetings of ministers of water and sanitation should take place, however the details are not yet formulated.

The fact that the French government is hosting a large meeting of African finance ministers on the replenishment of the rural sanitation and water facility was raised. This gathering could be an opportunity to bring several water ministers to Paris for a side-meeting with the African Finance ministers and UNSGAB. One member stressed that more analysis regarding the content and objectives for such meetings is needed. Another said that the Peru study (see Financing section) revealed a common problem: there is political will to do something about water, and the finance minister know it is important to support this sector, what is missing is a common national financial strategy for water. UNSGAB could focus in on these issues during the meetings.

Regarding the G8, the secretariat noted that at this point it is not clear where UNSGAB can add value to the upcoming G8 Summit.

3. Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation: Human Rights Obligations

Catarina de Albuquerque

Presentation - Catarina de Albuquerque, Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation said she is fully convinced that human rights have the potential to make a positive difference as we strive to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The Human Rights Council created her mandate and she was appointed in 2008 to:
  1. develop a dialogue with various stakeholders to identify, promote and exchange views on best practices related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and, in that regard, to prepare a compendium of best practices;
  2. advance work by undertaking a study on the further clarification of the content of human rights obligations, including non-discrimination of obligations related to safe drinking water and sanitation;
  3. and make recommendations that can help the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular Goal 7.

Ms. de Albuquerque explained the differences between the MDGs and human rights, main difference being that, human rights ultimately require universal coverage, not a fifty percent reduction. In addition, human rights specify the term "access to water and sanitation" according to criteria including: availability, quality, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability.

She raised an important issue: there is a difference between advocating for a right to water and advocating for free water. There is a prominent assumption that the human right to water equals a right to free water which is simply not true. A parallel was drawn with food. For example, she explained one can advocate for a right to food with the understanding that food is not free. However, it is absolutely critical that poor people in all countries are not excluded from access to water and sanitation, only because of an inability to pay. In order to deliver water to those in need, the State must intervene. Also, those who can pay for water and sanitation should pay for it - this is also a way to make the system sustainable.

She then elaborated on discrimination, participation and accountability. In concluding, she noted that lack of water and sanitation access reflects underlying societal power relations which must be revealed and addressed for real and sustainable changes to be achieved.

Discussion - Members thanked Ms. De Albuquerque for her presentation and discussed the following issues.

translating the human right to water at the national and local level: A member said that there can be agreement in the international sphere on the human right to water and sanitation, and for the most part there is, however it is only useful if more people get these services as a result. Often human rights don't translate into national legal frameworks and stakeholders don't fully understand their rights. In the case of sanitation, local governments mostly don't know what they have to do to implement the right to sanitation: there is no document defining the content on this issue. Another said that national governments will not accept this human right if they believe that their populations can sue them or that their ability to manage international waters could be compromised. A utilities-based analysis on the MDG and human rights approach related to their pro-poor investment policies was suggested. Ms. de Albuquerque mentioned that the translation of international commitments into national reality is a challenge which is not exclusive to water and sanitation. The challenge also applies to the MDGs, which will not - unfortunately - be achieved by all that committed themselves to them.

complex issues: Within the human rights rubric, complex issues can arise. For example, a member asked, if someone decides to live on top of an inaccessible mountain, can he/she then require the government to supply them water since it is his/her human right? Also, is it legal for a group be forced to migrate since there is not a local water source in order to fulfill their human right to water? These are some of the issues that arise in the field where the principle of reasonableness should be applied. Moreover, human rights require States to adopt steps for the progressive realisation of these rights, within their existing resources. The State has the power to determine its priorities in terms of allocation of limited financial resources, and in that context competing needs have to be balanced.

avoiding confusion and distraction: Endless debates about human rights do not bring us closer to our objectives, one noted, and the hope is for Ms. de Albuquerque's work to bring more clarity. In that connection, another said that a basic statement in the General Assembly about the human right to water could add confusion and generate debate - often this debate demands more attention than water access issues which are arguably more immediately relevant to poor people. Ms. de Albuquerque clarified that she will present her report, not to the General Assembly, but to the Human Rights Council. Human rights have the potential to bring more clarity to what States' obligations are. And they also have the potential to empower people who do not have access to water and/or sanitation to vindicate their rights, for example in a court of law.

Next steps -
  • As part of her mandate, Ms. de Albuquerque will organize a workshop on best practices where she will invite UNSGAB to participate.
  • Ms. de Albuquerque stressed the open discussion's value to her work and all agreed to continue collaboration including commenting on future draft reports.

4. Reports on Working Group meetings

Each working group met in separate sessions with the results and decisions being presented to the full Board.

WOPs (Chair, Antonio Miranda) -The group brought forth the following proposals which were all adopted: 1) the WOPs working group has concluded its mandate, 2) UN-Habitat will continue to participate in UNSGAB meetings, 3) UNSGAB will be an observer on the WOPs Alliance Steering Committee.

Finance (Chair, Gerard Payen) - Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) is essential, but it is only a small amount of the financing available, therefore its catalytic impact must be a top priority. The group crafted 5 main messages for bilateral donors in this regard: 1) Contribute to improving governance, performance and capacity of the water sector, 2) Attract non-ODA financial resources (leverage) 3) target and report results, 4) Better target countries in most need, 5) Maintain efforts despite economical crisis. The OECD has invited the group to comment on their new water programme which includes a study of strategic financial planning in Egypt, Lesotho and Niger. Also the group is continuing to request OECD reporting on ODA leverage impact and national water and sanitation spending. On the proposed meetings between African water and finance ministers a more substantive agenda needs to be developed. Regarding the World Bank Peru mission, the obstacles to local financing are real and strategic financial planning would increase fiscal sustainability. These are important messages that should reach the upper echelons of the World Bank.

  • Next steps - Omar Kabbaj will represent UNSGAB at the OECD Joint High-Level Meeting on Development and Environment (May 28) where he will convey the groups 5 messages on ODA; Gerard Payen will provide input to the OECD new water programme; and the Peru mission report will be drafted with strong recommendations and ways to ensure their impact will be articulated

Sanitation (Chair, Margaret Catley-Carlson) - The group identified challenges associated with waste water systems including high cost, operation and maintenance difficulties, storm water/waste water mix, few good designs for small cities, and help needed with tough decisions (e.g. pipes for 50 000 versus water treatment for 10 000). Simple messages were formulated. For example, treat only to the appropriate use level, focus on enforcement, calibrate investment in O&M, technology should fit the city scale, finance to fit the budget, separate human and industrial waste, polluters clean up own industrial waste water, promote the five Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle, retrofit, retool). Members shared the following comments.
  • The JMP states that one dollar invested in water yields 8 in return, however we don't know how much wastewater management impacts health, the environment and economy.
  • In addition, there is no international goal on wastewater treatment.
  • The link between wastewater and irrigation should be made clearly.

On IYS follow-up, the group agreed that several members would comment on the draft General Assembly IYS report. Also, working with UNICEF and the Water and Sanitation Programme, the group will support regional sanitation declaration monitoring. Kenzo Hiroki said that Japan is planning an IYS follow-up conference where an UNSGAB representative will be invited. The group also discussed Uschi Eid's proposals: 1) UNSGAB to lobby for a UN International Year against Child Mortality, like it was done before with the IYS (28 % of children under 5 die because of lack of sanitation); 2) UNSGAB to lobby UNICEF and bilateral donors to launch a program for Sanitation for Schools and; 3) UNSGAB to lobby UN Water to draw attention to the topic by devoting one of the next World Water Days to "Water and Sanitation for Slums".
  • Next steps: On wastewater, Ms. Catley-Carlson will meet with members of the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance in Bonn (June, 2008), a workplan including partners and actions will be developed. On IYS follow-up, Nina Odenwaelder, Kenzo Hiroki and Leanne Burney will prepare comments on the SG IYS report, scoping teleconferences with UNICEF and WSP will be scheduled. On proposals regarding an "International Year against Child Mortality", a programme for "Sanitation in Schools" and a world water day on "Water and Sanitation for Slums" appropriate partners will be contacted.

Monitoring (Chair, Gerard Payen) - On the JMP, the group is looking forward to the response of the JMP strategic advisory group in September. The group is also observing the Global Framework for Action process and has been asked by UN water to assist in reviewing the GLAAS report in fall 2009. Mr. Payen will follow up on the initial meetings with the UN SD System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Water and the secretariat will connect with the authors to provide inputs to the upcoming MDG 7 report as well as the MDG synthesis report. Regarding the post 2015 discussion, Poul launched some initial ideas but has yet to receive feed back.
  • The group will prepare a proposal on post 2015 to be submitted at the 13th UNSGAB meeting.
  • Gerard will meet with UN SEEAW before the next UNSGAB meeting.

IWRM (Chair, Judith Rees) - The group focused on further promotion of the watercourses convention ratification, the role of UNSGAB in the Copenhagen climate change process and post-Copenhagen work on IWRM and climate change adaptation. Regarding the convention, the group will: develop a list of 18 "low hanging fruit" countries to approach for watercourses convention ratification; prepare a one pager advocating the importance of the convention; find opportunities to approach these 18 countries (Stockholm Water Week, use dialogue opportunities); research current law commission resolution on the law on transboundary aquifers and consider ways to ensure it covers the full range of issues.

The group agreed that UNSGAB should use its influence in the debates about climate change policies. Climate change will have a critical impact on water resources management and on the incidence of extreme events, thereby affecting the ability of countries to meet their developmental and poverty reduction goals. UNSGAB has probably little to offer in the short term negotiations leading to the Copenhagen meeting of COP 15 in December as the negotiations will probably concentrate on mitigation and the overall issue of financing for adaptation, rather than on sectoral adaptation issues. However, two things could be done before September; first, members of the group could support the Chair in the preparation of his speech for the High Level Meeting; second, a letter should be sent to the African Union supporting the Nairobi Principles and encouraging their use in the co-ordinated African statement being prepared for Copenhagen (the usefulness of such a letter in other regions will be explored). In this connection the group officially endorsed the Nairobi Principles on Land and Water Management for Adaptation to Climate Change. In the longer term the group will prepare a plan for engagement in post-Copenhagen processes. It would first look at the implications of climate change for actions in the HAP and then develop a workplan over the summer leading to a teleconference in September. It was agreed that any plan had to focus on areas where UNSGAB could add value and on practicable new actions. In addition work on climate must link into the work of other groups, most obviously the finance, sanitation, disasters and the Africa groups. It was further agreed that IWRM approaches to climate change adaptation were crucial and so the group would contribute to UN Water's new work programme, which aims to follow up on countries progress with IWRM plans, including seeing whether climate change adaptation play a role in such plans.
  • Next steps - On the watercourses convention, a workplan including countries to approach, advocacy arguments, and outreach opportunities will be developed by the secretariat. On climate change adaptation, a letter to the AU on the Nairobi Principles will be sent and a proposal on an UNSGAB contribution to climate adaptation will be developed.

Water and Disaster (Chair, Juanita Castano) - The group reviewed the activities proposed in the Water and Disaster Action Plan for which the Secretary-General will play an important role: these recommendations will be presented to him. Some proposals on possible organizational arrangements for a UN HLEP secretariat were presented. One possible example that could be used is the administrative arrangements for the UN Forum on Forests. Kenzo Hiroki noted that the UNSGAB Honorary President participated in a water disaster response drill. The event was covered by a variety of media sources. The following three points were agreed. 1) the three HLEP co-moderators will look at the 40 "actions" and screen them. 2) if the co-moderators can find "actions" to be endorsed by the Chair of the UNSGAB, for example to be co-signed by the Chair, the co-moderators will ask the Chair by the name of the Founding Chair. 3) Before asking the Chair, we will get the full support of the Working Group on Water and Disaster.
  • Next steps - The group will follow up on the three points listed above.

Africa (Chair, Poul Nielson) - The group is laying the groundwork for meetings of African water and finance ministers as was called for in the Sharm El Sheikh Declaration. However, it is important to work with AMCOW, AfDB the AU and others since UNSGAB should not be promoting such sessions in isolation. The group is identifying elements from other working groups such as outcomes of the Peru mission, transboundary issues, WOPs ect. to ensure these issues are percolating into the African context.
  • Next steps - The group will develop a concept note with ideas and strategies to be promoted during meetings with African water and finance ministers. Possible venues will be included.

Johan Kuylenstierna, UN-Water

5. UN-Water Presentation

Johan Kuylenstierna of UN-Water provided an overview of UN-Waters work including possible opportunities for UNSGAB collaboration. Areas such as water and disaster, climate change and water, indicators, and country-level coordination were discussed.

6. Future UNSGAB Work

Over the course of 3 days, members discussed future work of UNSGAB. The secretariat was requested to use these discussions as the basis for a new proposed work plan to be prepared on a consultative basis prior to the 13th meeting in the Netherlands.

7. Next Meeting and Closing Comments

Members agreed that the 13th UNSGAB meeting would be held on Nov. 30 - Dec. 3 2009 in the Netherlands. Maria Mutagamba suggested that the 14 meeting could be hosted by Uganda just after a scheduled WOPs Alliance session in mid-2010.

Professor Yordan Uzunov thanked members for visiting Bulgaria. All members expressed their sincere appreciation to the Government of Bulgaria for the excellent arrangement and gracious hosting. The Chair thanked Mr. Uzunov, the Government of Bulgaria and all UNSGAB members for their dedication, hard work and commitment to water and sanitation issues.

8. Related Documents


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