THE RIGHT TO WATER

For nearly ten years, the WWC has made efforts to translate the right to water into concrete legal provisions. On 28 July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in which it declared that the right to safe and clean drinking water is a fundamental right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.

DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES for water

SIGNIFICANT • a partnership on water and green growth with ACTIONS the Korean Government, • a report on water for growth and development in Africa with the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, • the launch of a Helpdesk to assist parliamentarians in improving their national water governance, • the mobilisation of a panel of high level experts on water and disasters...

> The World Water Council works hard every day to promote the cause of water. THE

A driver of dialogue To mobilise decision-makers in the field of water and to raise public awareness for water challenges throughout the world, the World Water Forum is a unique platform for dialogue and discussion, which puts the water community into contact with politicians and leaders from all over the world. Held every three years, with more than 20,000 participants from more than 200 countries at the most recent events, ; Lundgren Mark J.M. Huron. Tow Danilo) ; IUCN Victoriano & Cities Photo Contest 2010 (Salvador Dionisio – Dan De Luca - Das Prasanta Kumar Latt Maung Rahman Md Mahbubur Water Photos : the World Water Forum has become a major event involving national and international politicians, from mayors to Heads of State.

THE WATER CONSENSUS

An example of a political initiative More than 1000 cities - representing more than 150 million citizens - have signed the Istanbul Water Consensus, launched at the initiative of the World Water Council. This commits cities to prepare and implement an action plan to improve their management of water and sanitation and to present the progress Espace Gaymard, 2/4 place d’Arvieux they have made at the World Water Forum. 13002 - Tel. +33 4 91 99 41 00 - Fax. +33 4 91 99 41 01 [email protected] www.worldwatercouncil.org THE WORLD WATER WATER COUNCIL

A GLOBAL POLITICAL ISSUE A REPRESENTATIVE AND COMMITTED BODY

Today, more than one billion humans are without Since 1996, the World Water Council (WWC) access to a sufficient quantity of clean water; more has been working to ensure that access to water than double that number are without access to decent and sanitation all over the world becomes a right for sanitary facilities. Often, less attention is given to everyone. It was created to find effective solutions sanitation, particularly when it comes to finance: in the field and to mobilise leaders at the highest only 20% of public spending in the sector goes to level _ Heads of State, international organisations, sanitation (WHO, 2010). The consequence is that local elected officials, etc._ to make access to every 10 minutes, 10 people, including 4 children, water and sanitation a reality shared by everyone. die from water-related diseases. The WWC has been established as a platform for international dialogue on water for everyone inside and outside the water sector.

MAKING WATER A PRIORITY

This is the World Water Council’s raison d’être. The World Water Council, a ground-breaking organisation, strives on a daily basis to promote the cause of water. Having investigated new topics, such as financing water for all and development aid some years ago, the Council remains focused on the future and is currently working on a variety of subjects. It is a permanent structure that operates via networks throughout the world, and puts particular effort into Water is a constant environmental, social, economic, fostering political commitment and practical action but above all, political challenge. Access to water for to solve the very complex water-related challenges all is mainly a matter of political will. all over the world. A DUAL GOAL POLITICAL INITIATIVES

FACILITATING THE SHARING OF SOLUTIONS DIPLOMATIC ROLE

MOBILISING ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN WATER Speaking up about water to the major powers, facilitating, restoring and reinforcing dialogue on The World Water Council represents some 350 water issues, facilitating the sharing of transboundary organisations in more than 70 countries, forming waters, easing tensions, etc. The World Water a unique network of thousands of people from Council is involved in water diplomacy on a daily different sectors, regions, disciplines and professional basis, based on partnerships with countries such as fields. Through the Council, a wide variety of Brazil, China and Korea. organisations bearing witness to the many challenges involving water throughout the world, work to share common solutions and to raise awareness among BALANCED political leaders for the issues of water and sanitation at every level. AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNANCE

The WWC consists of 5 colleges, which provide balanced and representative governance of all the stakeholders in water. Each college is represented on the Board of Governors:

• Intergovernmental institutions • Governments and governmental authorities • Public operators and private enterprises • Civil society organisations and water user associations • Professional associations and academic institutions