The Millennium Development Goals have another 3 years to try and achieve the target of creating access to sanitation for 1.2 billion people (2.4 billion people lack safe sanitation), as defined in the MDG 7 target for sanitation from 2002. 

It is unlikely that the MDG sanitation target will be met. Currently the United Nations have started consultations with governments, major groups and stakeholders on what should be done after 2015, this is called the post-2015 development agenda. 

The Thematic Consultation on Water in the post-2015 development agenda is now open, waiting for your inputs on the website. 

The water consultation is part of the UN-system led “global dialogue” comprising of 50–100 Country Consultations and eleven global Thematic Consultations, including one on water. The water consultation is mainly taking place as an online discussion using different social media. The purpose is to bring voices from a broad range of stakeholders to build consensus around key future challenges related to water and the need for a new global water goal in the post-2015 development agenda.

The water consultation is divided into two interactive phases:

Phase I is the global water consultation, which focuses on broad challenges to trigger engagement and discussion. The global consultation will remain online and active for the whole duration of the consultation.

Phase II focuses on thematic sub-consultations broadly in the areas of:

• Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
• Water resources
• Wastewater management and water quality.

Phase II starts in mid-January and runs up to March 3rd 2013. In March the outcome from the different discussions will be summarised into policy recommendations in a final report that will be transmitted to the High-level Panel on Post-2015 appointed by the UN Secretary General at the end of March.

SIWI is engaged in the Thematic Consultation on Water and encourages everyone to take the opportunity to share your insights and opinions on a new global water goal in the post-2015 development agenda.

Till coming 2 months we can all contribute to the on-line consultation on water and sanitation in the post-2015 development agenda via the website. What lessons have we learned from trying to bring safe drinking water and safe sanitation to unconnected communities in the EECCA region? What has been the catalysing role of the UNECE Protocol on Water & Health? What do we believe needs to be done additionally? 

On 22 of March 2013 an face to face consultation (on invitation only) will take place probably in the Hague, organised by the Joint Monitoring Program with other UN partners. 

It is important that to bring the lessons from NGO work in the UNECE region, and call for a more integrated policy and funding framework starting with water protection, and ending with sustainable re-use of sanitation “products”!

To get involved, engage in the online discussion at www.worldwewant2015.org/water.

http://www.worldwewant2015.org/node/286411

You can also participate through social media, on Twitter using the hashtag #waterpost2015, or visit the Facebook page WaterPost2015.