United Nations University Water Panel Discussion

9:30 AM – NGO Fair and Refreshments

10:30 AM – Panel and Discussion

The G8 has already identified that action is required on factors of importance to child and maternal health, such as water and sanitation provisioning.  The goal of this event is to draw attention to the importance of safe water provisioning, the explicit links to child and maternal health, as well as mechanisms for improving access efficiently, effectively and sustainably.

Safe water provisioning (access to sustainable water and sanitation) is a key mechanism for improving health and well-being of the most vulnerable people and the poorest countries in the world and an important component of development.  Within this context, it is noteworthy that progress on drinking water provision is on target.  However, there are two critical issues outstanding with respect to safe water provisioning.  First, the MDG targets only call for a 50% increase in access, leaving the other 50 % without access after 2015.  Second, sanitation is not on track and is projected to fall short of the target by as many as 1 billion people, leaving 2.7 billion without access after 2015.  Given the transmission cycle for waterborne diseases and the associated proven benefits of tackling sanitation, hygiene and water in concert, this is a serious impediment to improving health and well-being.

United Nations University, in conjunction with the School of Public Policy and Administration and the Faculty of Public Affairs will be hosting a public panel discussion on “The Role of Water and Sanitation in Child and Maternal Health.”

For more information, please go to www.inweh.unu.edu