HOME About UNSGAB Regional Action Hashimoto Action Plan Meeting History Documents Links

Meeting History

The 17th Meeting of the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation


14 - 16 November 2011
Bonn, Germany

Minutes of Meeting

Background

The UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation's (UNSGAB) 17th meeting took place in Bonn and was generously hosted by the German Ministries for Economic Cooperation and Development and for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The UNSGAB meeting was held just prior to the Bonn Nexus Conference on Water, Energy and Food Security (Nov. 16 - 18) allowing members to contribute to the event. In connection with the Nexus Conference, the UNSGAB Chair participated in the Public Symposium of the Bonn Nexus Conference on 15 November. Members welcomed Dr. Christoph Beier - Board Member of the German International Cooperation, Mr. Seam - President of the Political Commission of the Marseille Sixth World Water Forum International Committee , and Mr. Adeel- UN-Water Chair, to a discussion on upcoming intergovernmental meetings. Side meetings were held with the Water Integrity Network and the World Economic Forum.


Opening

Opening Remarks by the UNSGAB Chair
Thanking the Government of Germany, the Chair drew special attention to Uschi Eid, both UNSGAB vice-Chair and also vice-Chair of the Bonn conference International Steering Committee. He also welcomed Dr. Konukiewitz representing the German ministry for economic cooperation and development and thanked him for his support and participation in advance of the Bonn Nexus Conference. The Chair thanked members for their input to the UNSGAB messages for the Rio +10 process. Touching on the activities of the UNSGAB working groups, he laid out the working agenda for the meeting.

Opening Remarks by Thomas Stelzer
Mr. Stelzer thanked the German Government and noted that the Bonn Nexus Conference on water, energy and food security provided a real opportunity to delve into the critical challenges and the most pressing issues and to have a deep substantive discussion sustainable development based on rigorous research, empirical evidence, and sound science. The outcome, he said, will have a genuine impact on the Rio +20 Summit. With Rio +20 only seven months away, Mr. Stelzer noted that the Department of Economic and Social Affairs is the Summit secretariat. Mr. Stelzer shared some background on the intergovernmental discussion on the green economy while also welcoming UNSGAB's messages on water and sanitation for the Rio+20 process.


Opening Remarks by Dr. Konukiewitz
Representing the German Government, Dr. Konukiewitz of BMZ noted that the German taxpayer had supported UNSGAB from the beginning with satisfaction that the board has worked for better sanitation and water policies. Thanking Uschi Eid, he said the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development was celebrating fifty years of hard work. And yet, he asked if there was reason to be happy considering there is still such need in the world with almost half of the global population living in poverty. Ten years ago, Bonn hosted a freshwater conference which laid the groundwork for international targets, now he said, a conference on the water, energy, food security nexus is looking at the interlinkages among these vital services. He thanked UNSGAB for their messages to the Rio+20 process and noted that they had been considered against the contributions to the EU and that thematically there are many similarities. In closing, Dr. Konukiewitz welcomed a good partnership in the lead up to Rio+20.

Sanitation working group
Sanitation objective 3: Build new impetus for wastewater collection, treatment and reuse
OMEGA: Sanitation Working Group Co-Chair Ms. Catley-Carlson said increasingly the link between wastewater and economic growth, health, environmental benefit is being made - not long ago, people didn't want to talk about it, now the issue is moving onto the development agenda. The OMEGA Alliance is advancing with the Asian Development Bank creating an office. The challenge really is not to convince engineers that wastewater treatment is important, but rather to convince politicians. Part of doing that, she said, is to gather workable models, develop slideshows and to make pitches to chambers of commerce.

Country and regional experience: Members shared experiences from their respective countries. In China there is a call for legal requirements, there is a lot of investment in wastewater treatment, but new pollutants are being introduced all the time: the ministries of water and environment are working on national policies. Arab countries are earmarking money for wastewater considering the serious impact the current situation is having on the population - however, with the recent political events, progress has slowed. In Japan, eight months have passed since the tsunami and the sewage systems in the area are still not functioning - it is important to proof wastewater facilities for natural disasters. In the USA reformers considered tax law and its relation to pollution. The Clean Water Act has generated consent orders which have forced municipalities to improve wastewater treatment - such legal frameworks could work in other countries. For Africa, a member pointed out that given urbanization trends, there is an urgent need to invest in infrastructure for wastewater plants that are smaller scale, energy neutral, that promote reuse for agriculture. She suggested that UNSGAB in its interaction with the African Development Bank really pushes these ideas and encourages project development for financing.

Wastewater monitoring: Speaking to his paper "Suggestion for a diplomatic initiative on wastewater," Mr. Payen pointed out there is no common vision on wastewater. During the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, there was a negotiation on basic sanitation - many felt the discussion would encompass wastewater, but it did not. Is the lack of a global vision, target or monitoring on wastewater a problem? It is a chicken and egg question he said. Since there are no global statistics, the issue remains invisible. The OECD projections for marine pollution are very concerning and global action is needed. In terms of Rio+20, wastewater fits into the green growth agenda and it is directly linked to energy security, and food security.

UNEP Pro-poor wastewater management presentation: UNEP representative Heidi Savelli shared details of UNEP's Pro-poor wastewater Management (PPWM): Sanitation Interface with Water, Climate Change, Food Security and Poverty Alleviation, a project designed in the context of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA). The project will promote and demonstrate pro-poor, environmentally-friendly and resource-recycling approaches to wastewater. To do this, Ms. Savelli noted the project will disseminate good practices and lessons learnt; promote any available and internationally/regionally accepted guidelines/guidance documents; linkage with the existing information systems, such as SEI (Swedish Environment Institute) EcoSan Knowledge Hub system will be sought. She also noted that 5 to10 demonstration/pilot areas will be selected to test and apply the Pro-Poor Water Management approaches. In closing, she welcomed the participation of UNSGAB in the Intergovernmental Review meeting on the Implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities in Manila (23 - 27 January).

Several members commented on the demonstration sites. The fact that there are many excellent examples of wastewater treatment facilities already functioning was mentioned, thereby questioning the need to establish pilot areas - funding such pilots would misplace scarce funding. Sitting down with the International Water Association would be a good starting point, a member suggested, since they have a vast amount of knowledge in this area. Going back to the drawing board could help, since the components don't seem to fit together. Another said that the selection of pilot areas is crucial - the current proposal seems to mix different technical approaches. If the conditions among pilot areas are too variable, then you cannot compare results. There is a need to broaden the focus, a member noted, to encompass policy and financing. For wastewater, the centralization of tariff controls is a real problem - it is important not to put out project proposals that don't consider these critical issues, particularly financing. Several mentioned the need to look at nitrogen control. Summing up, Ms. Catley-Carlson expressed pleasure that UNEP is taking up the wastewater issue; suggested that UNEP broaden its partners and consult with groups such as IWA; urged that externalities such as nitrogen be incorporated; and suggested that clarity be brought to the "pro-poor" nomenclature.


Next steps:

  • UNSGAB will prepare a short letter to UNEP to share some thoughts on the wastewater proposal.
  • Members agreed to promote UNSGAB's message to Rio+20 calling for a shared global vision on wastewater management at the Bonn Nexus Conference and in other upcoming opportunities.
  • UNSGAB will continue to support the OMEGA Alliance on an as needs basis.

Financing working group
Mr. Payen gave an overview of the activities on each financing objective in HAPII and a recap of the outcomes of last teleconference of the financing group.

Financing objective 1: Increase political commitment and financial resources

Mr. Gurria, OECD Secretary-General and UNSGAB member, outlined OECD's water activities and presented two reports on Water Financing and Water Governance that were recently launched at the OECD Global Forum on Water.

The OECD is preparing an Environmental Outlook to 2050 which has a special focus on water. The preliminary release Outlook will be presented at the 6th World Water Forum in Marseille.
The environmental outlook explores targets that go beyond the current MDG's.

  • By 2030 the population without access to an improved water source and to basic sanitation is halved again from the 2005 base year, building on the progress already achieved under the current MDG
  • Universal access to an improved water source and to basic sanitation is achieved by 2050 Under this scenario the OECD estimates that an additional 1.8 billon USD would need to be invested globally each year between 2010 and 2030 to achieve the 2030 target. USD 7.6 billion would be needed annually between 2031 and 2050 to achieve the 2050 target. The challenge lies in particular in Sub Sahara Africa and in India. Mr. Gurria also mentioned that the collection of reliable data and statistics is still a limitation. There is no well developed network for data collection worldwide.
One of the key messages in the Water Governance report is that in OECD countries need well developed and realistic strategies to tap on the three main sources of finance ? the 3 Ts: taxes channeled through public budgets, revenues from tariffs for water services, and transfers from the international community. According to the OECD the private sector can play a key role in developing and channeling innovations and enhancing efficiency.

Furthermore he mentioned that OECD member states are committed to raising their ODA to 0.7% of their GDP. OECD DAC-members are allocating more of their aid to water and sanitation. Up to 7% of "Dac-able" aid goes to the watsan sector with a total volume of USD 7.2 billion. The problem remains that the aid does not always go to those countries that are most in need.

The OECD will continue to work on water with a strong interest on financing water supply and sanitation. The scope will be broadened to a range of water issues including economics and governance of water security, financing water resources management, water and green growth, urban water (wastewater), water and biodiversity, nitrogen pollution and water and water and climate change.

In preparation of WWF6 the OECD will coordinate with UNSGAB in the themes on strategic financial planning, water and green growth, and governance.

In a Q&A session a member said that OECD should advise members on where a good water policy starts. One suggested the OECD could replicate the innovative financing exercise also for wastewater. Others touched on issues like decentralization, the 1% solidarity tax rule for promoting water utilities partnership and the importance of capacity building and the use of homegrown technologies.

Another discussion was about the lack of good projects in the water and sanitation sector in the African region. One member said however that in reality often bankers just do not want to involve themselves in these types of businesses. The issue here is the lack of funds to build project pipelines. It is a very specific kind of funding. The absence of such pipelines is highly relevant to both the issues raised in the OECD Report and to the question of replenishment of the RWSSI. The Board discussed this issue at some length under this and the subsequent agenda items.

Replenishment & enhancement of RWSSI and AWF: Mr. Camdessus gave an overview about the performance of the African Water Facility (AWF) and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI) and the current financial situation of both initiatives that are administered by the African Development Bank.

Given the limited resources, AWF and the RWSSI have been rather successful in serving a large number of people with water and sanitation in Africa. However the achievements do not keep pace with the population growth and the growing number of people that are in need of access to water and sanitation, especially in urban areas. Currently still 48% of the African population does not have access to drinking water and 68% of the Africa people do not have access to sanitation.

Mr. Camdessus sought the support and the advice of the Board for improving both the AWF and the RWSSI. For example, how can the facilities be more demand driven and also to include wastewater management. He requested UNSGAB's assistance in looking for donors at a pledging event at the WWF6 in Marseille.

A third issue that was briefly discussed under this objective was about the new EU strategy paper for development "An agenda for change". Unfortunately, water and sanitation are hardly mentioned in this strategy paper. This in spite of the positive meeting that took place in Feb 2011 between Chair, the EU commissioner for development and Mr. Nielson. The Board is however positive about the elements on financial leverage in the paper. The Chair will meet again with the EU commissioner at the margin of the opening session of the Bonn conference. Mr. Nielson has prepared a memo for this meeting.

Financing objective 2: Improve access of utilities to financial markets
The draft letter to the World Bank president about replicating the work done in Peru in Africa was approved by the Board and will be sent after the Board meeting.

During the last teleconference Mr. Kabbaj agreed to approach sub-regional development banks in Africa in order to see whether they can focus more on creating water and sanitation projects at the sub regional level.

Next steps
  • Send draft letter to the World Bank and encourage the Bank to replicate the Peru work in Africa
  • Approach sub-regional banks in Africa

Financing objective 3: Increase leverage and impact of Official Development Assistance(ODA)

Mr. Payen and the secretariat has been in contact with OECD-DAC several times over the past year. The OECD had suggested that UNSGAB should participate in the Conference on Aid Effectiveness in Busan in Korea to promote the UNSGAB messages on increasing leverage and impact of ODA in the water sector. Initially Mr. Camdessus offered to represent UNSGAB but he had to cancel. The Board discussed whether UNSGAB should still be represented at the Aid Effectiveness conference in Busan. Although some members were in favor, in the absence of a clear UNSGAB role set up by the host country and OECD, it was ultimately decided not to send an UNSGAB representative (Mr. Guerquin) to Busan.

On the question whether UNSGAB should organize a meeting with bilateral donors at the 6th World Water Forum in Marseille (like UNSGAB did at WWF5 in Istanbul) most members agreed that such a meeting would be useful again and that is could be organized in cooperation with the OECD; this decision to be confirmed based on the outcomes of the Busan Conference.

Mr. Camdessus noted that many ministers from Africa will come to Marseille. It is also expected that some key ministers of financing will participate, in particular for the discussion on the African facilities. It might make sense for UNSGAB to make use of their attendance.

Next steps
  • Cancel UNSGAB's participation in Busan and look for other opportunities
  • Possibly organize a meeting with bilateral donors at WWF6 in cooperation with the OECD - decision to be confirmed after the Busan conference

Financing objective 4: Promote strategic financial planning at the country level for water supply and sanitation

No particular discussion took place in relation to this objective. Mr. Gurria reported on strategic financial planning in his presentation on the water programme of the OECD (see under objective 1).

Next steps
  • Continue cooperation with the OECD on Strategic Financial Planning.
  • Maintain contact with Sanitation and Water for All (SAW) and consider participation in next high level meeting of the SWA.

Activity Report since the 16th Board Meeting

UNSGAB Secretariat Coordinator, Francois Guerquin provided an overview of the Board's activities since the 16th Board meeting in June 2011. He thanked all members who were active and who represented the Board in various sessions.

Monitoring working group
Mr. Payen, chair of the monitoring working group opened the monitoring session by giving an overview of the activities/status per objective of the monitoring chapter of HAPII and a short recap of the outcomes of last teleconference of the monitoring group.

Monitoring objective 1: Improving current monitoring tools of access to water and sanitation
The African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) commissioned the production of a second round of Country Status Overviews (CSOs) on water supply and sanitation, to shed light on the factors that underpin progress in the sector. The World Bank, Water and Sanitation Program (WSP), and the African Development Bank implemented this task in close partnership with UNICEF, WHO, and the governments of 32 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The full synthesis report, "Pathways to Progress" can be downloaded from the WSP website.

On the Joint Monitoring Programme of WHO-UNICEF, Mr. Payen reported that the statistics for 2010 will be released at WWF6 in Marseille. The JMP has decided to disclose more disaggregated data on water including data on water quality. A thematic report on access to water is expected to be published by the end of 2011. Current estimates tell that 1.9 billion people use water that is unsafe and dangerous and about 3.4 billion people use water of a doubtful quality.

Monitoring objective 2: Enhance knowledge of water and sanitation economics at global and national levels
The GLAAS of WHO as well as the OECD and the WB through the WSP/AMCOW country status overviews are all trying to enhance the knowledge of watsan economics at the global and national levels. UNSGAB is in close contact with these organizations to follow and improve their work on this issue.

UNSGAB has met a few times with the UNDESA's Statistical Department on their System for Environmental and Economic Accounting for Water Resources (SEEAW). The Monitoring WG would like to meet in due time with some experts of the SEEAW programme to discuss their activities in detail.

Next steps:

  • Organize a meeting between the Monitoring group and SEEAW experts at the margin of next UNSGAB meeting in Panama

Monitoring objective 3: Improve wastewater monitoring
UNSGAB has addressed the need for wastewater monitoring in objective 2 on wastewater in the Rio+20 paper. When discussing the need to improve wastewater monitoring members said that the monitoring of Nitrogen and Phosphorus can be seen as a reality check for wastewater management.

Next steps:
  • Olivia will distribute a publication of the Rice Research Institute on Nitrogen fixation.
  • Continue highlighting wastewater monitoring in the UNCSD discussions

Monitoring objective 4: Supports efforts to boost monitoring of water resources
Participants suggested great care be taken in identifying the sources and metrics being used in OECD charts purporting to show the extent of irrigated land. The OECD is currently confirming their long-term scenario for the use of water in irrigated agriculture. There are many statistics floating around on water use in agriculture. One member said that IWMI has done a lot of work on this and we should therefore consult with them.

Next steps:
  • See with OECD that it might use IWMI charts on irrigated agriculture for their projections

Monitoring objective 5: Long-term monitoring: shaping the post-2015 agenda for access to water and sanitation
The post 2015 discussion starts officially at UN General Assembly of 2013. The current focus is on Rio where new sustainable development goals will be formulated. It is important that water goals are included in Rio. The Board should follow different tracks for trying to get water on the agenda in Rio. One track is through the government of Denmark who will run the EU presidency during the conference in Rio.

One member said that this is the moment to talk to the member states and fine tune with them what is going to be adopted in Rio. Each member should reach out to their capitals for bringing the 3 UNSGAB messages for Rio to the attention of the policy makers and negotiators.

Next steps (and conclusion of the discussion):
  • Board members to promote the three UNSGAB messages for Rio in their own capital.

Water Operators Partnerships
Bert Diphoorn, Director for Human Settlements and Financing Division UN-Habitat reviewed activities including the WOPs General Assembly meeting in March 2011 where the UNSGAB Chair was present. WOPs have been focused on new partnerships, e-networking and tools, knowledge management, and securing financial support. UN-Habitat is experience a serious funding squeeze, he said, and WOPs will issue a call for hosting. An impact study of three functioning WOPs is being finalized, the terms of reference for the "complaints" committee is done and a recent meeting concluded that the "not-for-profit" status of WOPs be maintained. Mr. Diphoorn may contact UNSGAB for support to secure a new WOPs host if need arises.

One member pointed out that in the regions, the Regional Banks really run the show when it comes to WOPs - now is the time to scale up, and to do so, more champions are needed. In addition, Regional Banks need to take more care to ensure that WOPs relationships are in fact including the less developed cities and countries Even though UNSGAB agreed to "step back" from WOPs, the Board should not fail to support an interesting initiative. Another said obviously there is a lot of interest, with more WOPs all the time, however the big issue is funding ? some WOPs function as a result of private funding (through a social corporate responsibility model).

Next steps:

  • Members agreed to support WOPs call for hosting proposal as appropriate.

Intergovernmental Meetings (Bonn Nexus Conference, Marseille World Water Forum 6, Rio +20)
Mr. Stelzer: Outlining the intergovernmental process, Mr. Stelzer said the Rio+20 conference should encourage economic dynamism, job creation, natural resource protection, while integrating the 3 sustainable development pillars. The seven priority areas are combating poverty through green jobs, advancing food security, sound water management, energy access through renewables, sustainable human settlements, management of oceans, and improving disaster preparedness. There is also interest in strengthening UNEP, the idea of a sustainable development council, and ECOSOC reform.

A member asked about sustainable development goals and whether countries would negotiate such objectives. Mr. Stelzer responded that sustainable development goals were not yet sufficiently designed and it is unclear what will emerge from the process.

Mr. Adeel: Chair of UN-Water, Mr. Adeel reviewed the UN-Water statement for Rio +20 including nine key messages and four key actions by UN-Water. UN-Water is aiming for a three day side event during Rio +20 as well as looking for advocacy opportunities. He welcomed interaction with UNSGAB on Rio +20. Participants agreed that UNSGAB would support the UN-Water Rio +20 statement and vice versa.

Mr. Beiber: Member of the GIZ Board, Mr. Beiber said the old architecture of aid had been replaced by international cooperation. GIZ is a supporter of the Hashimoto Action Plan and he posed probing questions regarding UNSGAB's three Rio +30 messages and related them to the water, food energy nexus. Why isn't there greater demand for basic sanitation and safe drinking water from the public in development countries he asked. Regarding wastewater, he asked if UNSGAB would make a statement on instruments such as the pricing of ecosystem services or the types of regulatory frameworks needed. In terms of growing more food with the water available, he raised the point that for water and agriculture there are difficult trade-offs to be made. Biofuels illustrate the nexus dynamic, would UNSGAB want to make a statement about only fostering biofuels in certain areas.

Mr. Seam: Representing the Marseille World Water Forum 6, Mr. Seam shared the overarching message for the Forum - Time for Solutions! Outlining the ministerial process leading up to the Forum, Mr. Seam said the declaration will include three strategic directions and emphasize ten points. Issues will include wastewater, health and water, IWRM, food security, and water's role vis-a-vis the three Rio conventions (climate change, biodiversity, and desertification).

Discussion: The fact that UNSGAB's three message for Rio +20 (universal access to water and sanitation, global vision for wastewater management and more greater water productivity for agriculture) have been picked up by the Bonn Nexus conference preparations and the World Water Forum was seen as a success. The need for members to take these messages to the Bonn Nexus conference and to promote them to the "outcome ambassadors" was emphasized. The inherent problem with global declarations was discussed: such statements just don't take on real world problems. As such, they risk banality. In this vein, a member stated that China's one child policy was probably one of the most important contributions to global sustainability, however such policies are politically very risky. Members discussed the involvement of civil society, and the fact that in these intergovernmental processes, people often feel unrepresented since trust in government is low.

Next steps:

  • UN-Water/UNSGAB will support each other's statements as much as possible and their secretariats will work together to support members states for a "friends of water & Rio+20" group

Integrated Water Resources Management Working Group
IWRM Objective 1: Promote ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational uses of International Waters
Working Group Chair, Ms. Rees drew attention to the World Wildlife Fund's request for further collaboration with UNSGAB to promote ratification of the watercourses convention.
Next steps:

  • Members agreed to follow up on the World Wildlife Fund requests as appropriate.

IWRM Objective 2: Apply IWRM to more effectively manage the rapidly increasing need for water to adapt to climate change, expand agriculture and maintain environmental needs while using an ecosystem approach.
Ms. Rees acknowledged that the group had not been active on climate change adaptation, in part, due to her current career demands. She suggested that the group could opt to disband. One member said it is important to keep IWRM on UNSGAB's agenda since a focus only on drinking water is too narrow. Another made the point that wastewater management is very much of an IWRM issue. Members agreed that the group continue its work.

Next steps:
  • Olivia Castillo agreed to act as the interim IWRM working group chair

UNEP Freshwater Strategy
Heidi Savelli explained that UNEP is seeking greater focus and direction for future freshwater activities considering the: role of UNEP vis a vis other UN and international bodies; alignment with the six thematic priorities of UNEP's Medium Term Strategy; role of water within the Green Economy; results-oriented focus; an internal matrix management approach to implementation resources - issues and opportunities. The strategy's strategic priorities include meeting the global water quality challenge; benefiting from aquatic ecosystems; and building resilience to climate change. Members emphasized the fact that UNEP should not pursue this strategy in isolation, partnerships with organizations such as the African Development Bank or DFID were suggested.

Next steps:
  • UNSGAB comments on the UNEP Freshwater strategy will be shared with UNEP in the letter dealing with the Pro-poor wastewater proposal

Sanitation working group - Basic sanitation
Sanitation Objective 1: Bring pressure and attention to commitments undertaken during the International Year of Sanitation
Sanitation Working Group co-Chair, Ms. Eid reviewed what the Sanitation Drive to 2015 had accomplished thus far (logo, campaign materials, Africa/Netherlands launches) and outlined objectives for the future including support for a communications campaign and website upgrade. For these activities, UNSGAB could aim at making available funding in the amount of usd $100 000 in the 2012 budget. A member expressed reservations about UNSGAB becoming an implementer of the Sanitation Drive. The fact that UNSGAB had provided financial support for a WOPs conference, thereby setting a precedent for such support was mentioned. Ms. Eid also suggested the need for Sanitation Drive meeting in early 2012 to regroup and set forth priorities, which could include approaching mayors in the context of the sixth World Water Forum.
Next steps:

  • Members agreed to pursue proposals to make funding available for communications in the 2012 budget and to participating in a Sanitation Drive planning meeting, while also considering funding from additional sources (i.e. socially responsible corporations)

Sanitation objective 2: Improve water and sanitation for schools
Ms. Eid shared the idea that UNSGAB approaches Rotary International to solicit support for wash in schools given their local knowledge and experience for education. She also said that efforts to connect with Education International were not successful. Olivia Castillo shared that the GIZ together with the 'Fit for School' have developed educational materials for schoolchildren, particularly for handwashing, toothbrushing, and deworming. Together with UNICEF and some funding from Procter & Gamble, they have reached 2 million schoolchildren (ages 3-6) and still are aiming to reach the 14 million schoolchildren in the Philippines. They are moving to Cambodia, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian Countries and Africa. The materials are really worthwhile looking at. Olivia Castillo also mentioned that JP Morgan gave funding support to the NY-based Planet Foundation and the Sesame Street Workshop to develop educational materials such as DVDs using the Sesame Puppets for schoolchildren ages 3 to 6 in Indonesia, India, and the Philippines. These will include handwashing methods with songs repeatedly reminding the target audience about washing the hands she said.

Next steps:
  • After appropriate background research is undertaken, UNSGAB will contact Rotary International regarding Wash in Schools. In this effort, consider working also with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Olivia Castillo will keep the group informed of developments regarding "fit for schools" and the Planet Foundation.

Water and Disaster working group
Water & Disaster objective 1: Facilitate the global discussion and draw attention to the HLEP Report

&

Water & Disaster objective 2: Starting an inclusive knowledge sharing process linking water-related disaster to climate change and sustainable development at various levels of governance

Ms. Castano, co-chair of the water and disaster working group, said that the working group intends to facilitate the global discussion on water and disaster through a plenary thematic debate in the General Assembly. The best timing for this debate would be July 2012 so that there is enough time for preparation. Japan will express their interest for this thematic debate in an upcoming meeting with the President of General Assembly. Also other countries have expressed their interest in this thematic debate. An official letter will be sent to the President of the General Assembly in due time. UNSGAB members are requested to promote this thematic debate in their capitals. Dr. Han is expected to speak on behalf of UNSGAB in this debate.

Dr. Han provided some extra background information on this initiative. He spoke about his visit to the disaster area in Japan and how it was decided to organize a thematic session in the GA. The UN Secretary-General is in favor. Global Awareness has to be re-awakened. He asked for UNSGAB support for a thematic debate on water and disaster in the GA.

The water and disaster working group considers the following meetings as important events in the lead up to the thematic debate in the GA:

  • MED flood solutions in Marseille (Jan 20)
  • APWS2 in Bangkok (Feb 5-6)
  • High Level Panel at WWF6 (Mar 15)
  • Rio +20 (June 20-22)
  • High level conf on Natural Disaster in Sendai (July 3-4) hosted by Japan
  • WB workshop on disaster prevention
  • Thematic session at 66th UNGA (July 2012)
Meanwhile Mr. Hiroki has established contact with a number of member states in New York last November. Follow up meetings with member states in NY are planned for Feb/Mar 2012. Mr. Hong from Korea announced that a plenary session of the High Level Panel on Water and Disaster is planned on 15 March 2012 during the WWF. The presence of UNSGAB Honorary President and Chair is strongly requested. The detailed agenda will be confirmed.

Board members welcomed the idea of organizing a thematic debate on water and disaster in the General Assembly. One commented that Korea and Japan must make sure that more states come on board in this endeavor.

Ms. Catley-Carlson said it is foremost important that member states are reminded what they can do in order to reduce death and destruction in a water disaster event. She noted that we tend to talk about disaster reduction and prevention. Some disasters can be prevented (flood control mechanisms etc) but many cannot. The Focus of HLEP is primarily on reducing the death and destruction caused by disaster.

Mr. Boys advised the group not to forget mobilizing trade union members on this issue as the workers are often worst affected when disasters hit. Public investments are needed in this area. Tools at the municipal level, financial tools, regulatory tools for construction are also required. Ms. Rees questioned whether other UN agencies are pushing along with this initiative. She advised not to focus on the cause of disasters but to look at solutions.

Next steps:
  • Engage with IsDR before Marseille.
  • WG will prepare the draft letter to the member states and UNSGAB secretariat will disseminate it to the members of UNSGAB.
  • Improve the concept paper including the above mentioned considerations.

Working Agenda
In closed session the Board reviewed several administrative matters, and discussed its own future.

On this issue the Board recognized that its role as high-level advisory and advocacy body with a global and independent perspective on water and sanitation issues is unique. Currently, there are no other organizations with a similar mandate either inside or outside the UN system. In addition, UNSGAB is now widely known and has won the respect of the water and sanitation communities, both of which are important assets. In terms of substantive priorities, there is an urgent need to accelerate progress on the MDG sanitation target, to fill the gap with respect to wastewater management, as well as a definite need to incorporate water quality in defining more ambitious post-2015 water targets.
Given this assessment, the Board sees a need to remain active till 2015 with the following workplan:

  • Within the MDG framework, the sanitation target is now arguably the most off track. To ensure an extra push for sanitation the Board supported a General Assembly resolution calling for the Sanitation Drive to 2015. UNSGAB is committed to supporting this effort to redouble efforts to reach the MDG sanitation target by 2015.
  • Ensuing the inclusion of water and sanitation (including wastewater) in the post-2015 development framework and in the sustainable development agenda will be a priority. This requires that water and sanitation are reflected on the agenda of the UNCSD2012. In addition the Board will provide input so that the strategies and concepts developed by the UN system though entities tasked with preparing the post-2015 targets pay due attention to water and sanitation. A milestone event will be the MDG Summit in 2013.
  • The Board will continue work on its priority themes: wastewater (through the Rio + 20 process and the Omega Alliance), water and disaster (through a dedicated session in the General Assembly in mid-2012), financing of water (with focus on leveraging and monitoring outputs), monitoring access(with focus on improving the monitoring system and on linking it to the requirements of the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation), and interaction with other major thematic issues (climate change, food security, energy security). Finally the Board will remain at the disposal of the Secretary-General to discuss any reform of the way the UN system and its agencies deal with the issues of water and sanitation.
The Board recognizes that, with 4 years of activity in front of it, it is worth raising the issue of membership renewal. The UNSGAB is at the disposal of the UN Secretary-General to discuss and help work out the implementation of this suggestion.

The UNSGAB Secretariat is tasked to prepare a budget and a description of activity for the 2012-2015 period, keeping the same overall management for the Board and its support team, and maintaining the same team structure / size which is adequate for the Board needs (four staff, including JPOs).

In this connection, there was a minority opinion that the Board could conclude its activities in 2013, as such it is important to have plans for this potential end date if staffing/funding/managerial exigencies become acute. The other issue noted was that it is not for the Board to make the decision to end the existence of a Secretary-General's Advisory Board. The Board can however end this phase of work under the Hashimoto Action Plan II after which the UN SG might request a new set of activities through 2015.

Next steps:
  • Letter will be sent to the new Italian new Minister highlighting continuous collaboration
  • Apart from the above-mentioned support to the Sanitation Drive, focus all proposed fundraising to the core activity of UNSGAB
  • UNSGAB-18 will take place in Panama, on the condition of securing funding; urgent need to finalize dates
  • Will pursue holding UNSGAB-19 in Africa. Options include Nairobi, Addis, Kampala or others, with a priority given to Nairobi as a UN hub. Consider funding sources including pledge by African Development Bank, or donor countries.
  • A proposal that the Board extend its work till 2015 be made to the Secretary-General, this proposal would include the Board's primary activities between 2012 and 2015. Secretariat to work out the revised budget and raise funds accordingly.

Closing
The Chair thanked once again the Government of Germany for supporting UNSGAB's 17th Meeting and encouraged member to actively participate in the Bonn Nexus Conference. He thanked all members for their contributions to advancing the objectives in Hashimoto Action Plan II.



Copyright © 2011 UNSGAB Secretariat All rights reserved.