Kathmandu, September 24

On the verge of an unprecedented world commitment to end extreme poverty and create a fairer, more sustainable planet, WaterAid Nepal today urged leaders to deliver on the new UN Global Goals and leave no one behind.

A press statement issued here today by WaterAid Nepal said Global Goal 6 commits UN member-states to delivering basic access to water, sanitation and hygiene to everyone, everywhere by 2030.

It said the inclusion of this goal is a victory for more than 650 million people without access to clean water and 2.3 billion people without access to safe, private toilets in the world today.

“This is our chance to change the course of history and reach those who are the poorest and most vulnerable, while water, sanitation and hygiene are fundamental to development,” said Tripti Rai, country representative, WaterAid Nepal, in the statement.

“The recognition of the right to water and sanitation in the Constitution of Nepal is a progressive step forward to help achieve WASH goals with the right political commitment, collaboration, innovative thinking, and financing that also takes into account the loss and gains post the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal,” said Rai.

The statement further said that a recent report by WaterAid, has found that 45 low-income countries have been failed by the developed world on financing for water, sanitation and hygiene services. It said that they are chronically underfunded and will not meet the UN goals without new political and financial prioritisation. “Nepal is among these 45 countries,” it said.

According to the statement, the 17 Global Goals on sustainable development aim to tackle extreme poverty, inequalities and climate change, including water and sanitation crisis, which kills half a million children each year from preventable

diseases. It said that to achieve the goals to deliver water and sanitation to all, WaterAid is calling on governments to deliver on their promise to achieve the global goal on water.