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Sanitation and Water Conference 2008: Meeting the Challenge in East Asia and the Pacific

In 2006, the United Nations General Assembly issued a resolution that declared 2008 as International Year of Sanitation.* The resolution expressed concern about the slow and insufficient progress made in achieving the global sanitation target, and recognized that progress can be made through active commitment and action by all.

At the 2007 World Water Week, ADB presented its sanitation agenda that calls upon governments in Asia to make sanitation an urgent priority. ADB promotes the need for better and affordable facilities for individuals, disease prevention and healthy environments for communities, and financial viability of sanitation services for provider governments and utilities. It also invites public and private agencies to help governments, utilities, and communities accelerate actions that will achieve better sanitation results.

In line with these sanitation initiatives, this international conference directed attention on the challenge of sanitation and water development in East Asia and the Pacific. It also provided a forum for the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) to discuss its increased focus on sanitation and water.

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The conference aimed to

• Review the status of sanitation and water, best practices, and key entry points in East Asia and the Pacific region
• Devise actions and approaches that can best provide large-scale sustainable solutions with a view to achieving the Millennium Development Goals
• Develop a stakeholder action plan based on conference results

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World Vision Australia, supported by the Australian Government, AusAID, and ADB, with the assistance of the Watsan Reference Group.

• Water sector experts and stakeholders from around the world.

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• Conferenced registration fee was AUD$280 per person, which includes morning and afternoon tea and lunch for each day of the conference. Register.*