Foreword from UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson

 

 

Sanitation is one of the world’s greatest unmet challenges. More than a third of the world’s population lacks adequate sanitation. Over a billion people have no choice but to defecate in the open. All this has profound consequences for public health, children’s education and growth, women’s safety and the fight against poverty. And every day, thousands of children under five years of age are dying. They die due to unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, or a lack of basic hygiene.

That is why the Millennium Development Goals set a target on sanitation, and why this issue will be taken up in the Post-2015 development agenda. Adequate sanitation is vital for good health; it keeps environments clean; and it promotes dignity, equality and safety. Investing in sanitation makes good economic sense. As this discussion paper reveals, the returns are considerable.

The business community can play a major role in addressing the sanitation crisis. It can do so by emphasising respect for human rights and embracing corporate social and environmental responsibility. It can support the provision of basic water and sanitation services for healthy and productive societies. And vitally, the business sector can develop the solutions of the future and help them find a place in the global marketplace.

Meeting the sanitation challenge will not be easy. We need to break the taboo that often prevents us from discussing problems like open defecation and lack of toilets. We need to promote better understanding of this critical issue. We need solutions that are affordable and achievable. We need to mobilize action and collaboration among governments, civil society and business.

These needs are reflected in the Call to Action that I launched in March 2013 on behalf of the Secretary-General, which identifies 2025 as our target to end the practice of open defecation.

I commend the CEO Water Mandate for promoting the Call to Action on Sanitation through this white paper, which highlights the business case for action.

Over the past six years, CEO Water Mandate member companies have achieved significant results in water efficiency, community access and wastewater management. By responding to the Call to Action, the Mandate can do the same for sanitation.

Is sanitation an issue for business? Is business part of the answer? I say: “yes”. Let us therefore work together to address the sanitation challenge for the common good — for sustainable development and a life of dignity for all.


Jan Eliasson
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
September 2014

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