UN-HABITAT and the International Water Association have signed an agreement to strengthen their cooperation in a renewed effort to attain the Millennium Development Goals.  UN-HABITAT is mandated to help meet Target 10 of the goals which calls on governments to “reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water” by 2015, a quest also shared by the International Water Association.
In a deal signed at the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul, both bodies agreed on the importance of promoting partnerships among water operators globally, regionally and nationally, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. “Our relationship with UN-HABITAT has always been close – it is a natural connector for our association to the United Nations system – and the launch of this strategic partnership takes our joint activities to a higher level,” said Mr. Paul Reiter, Executive Director of the International Water Association. “We are jointly driving a change agenda through the deployment and communication of the Water Operators Partnerships programme”, he added.
Mr. Bert Diphoorn, Director of UN-HABITAT Human Settlements Financing Division, said: “With its extensive global membership and expertise in utility affairs, the International Water Association is an essential player in the Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance. We are certain this strengthened collaboration will greatly broaden the scope and impact of water operator partnerships around the world.” The International Water Association unites water professionals in achieving sustainable water management on a local, national and international level. The Association is a non-profit, self-governing organization with over 10,000 members across 130 countries from the scientific, utility, consultant, regulatory, industrial and technology communities. Its work covers all fields of the water cycle, from supply, industrial water use to sanitation in both developing and developed countries.
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