Prince Willem-Alexander Launches International Year of Sanitation 2008

Yesterday, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands joined her husband, the Prince of Orange in New York to globally launch the International Year of Sanitation 2008. As chairman of the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, the prince spoke of his concerns and said, “our prime aim is to provide as many people as possible with proper, sustainable sanitation facilities and to stress how to use them sustainably.”

In his speech, Willem-Alexander challenged the attendees to redress the matter of sanitation and focus on the plight of the many people that do not have the use of adequate facilities. “That is why we, as policymakers, opinion leaders and stakeholders gathered here today, must make a supreme effort to make proper sanitation accessible and available to everyone. Because everyone, and that means ALL the people in the world, has the right to a healthy life and a life with dignity. In other words: everyone has the right to sanitation,” he declared.

In part to galvanize his audience into action, the prince reiterated the goals of millennium development on sanitation.

“We want to raise awareness of the importance of sanitation and its impact on other Millennium Development Goals.”

“We want to encourage government and their partners to implement policies and take action aimed at meeting the sanitation target.”

“We want to mobilize communities, particularly women’s groups, to change sanitation and hygiene practice through campaigns on sanitation and health education.”

As he closed his speech, the prince reminded the guests to commit themselves to the sanitation project and said, “I would like to encourage you, with all my heart, to work together. It is of the utmost importance for us to undertake a long-term commitment today to reach our common goals and to work towards health, dignity and development for all.”

The Prince of Orange’s entire speech at the launch of the International Year of Sanitation 2008 in New York can be read here.

For more information on the International Year of Sanitation 2008, visit the following websites: The United Nations Division of Sustainable Development, Water for Life, and UNICEF.

Photos: ANP

Prince Willem-Alexander Goes To Washington

In preparation for the International Year of Sanitation 2008, the Prince of Orange outlined the goals of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation at a Washington D.C. meeting yesterday and said: “Today we start mapping out a course of action that will enable us to pick up the pace on water and sanitation. As far as I am concerned, this meeting will focus on one central question. What do we want to achieve by the end of 2008, and how do we achieve it? It is important that between now and November, when the International Year of Sanitation will be launched, we take the step from general objectives to measurable targets. Targets expressed in figures, percentages and money, and in concrete project plans and partnerships.”

Below is a segment of Prince of Orange’s speech from the Washington DC preparatory meeting to organize the International Year of Sanitation 2008 in New York.

"Ladies and gentlemen,"

"Welcome. As chair of UNSGAB, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, I was thrilled last December when the General Assembly accepted our recommendation and unanimously adopted the resolution declaring 2008 the International Year of Sanitation. Today I’m delighted that we can officially start preparing to make it a success. There is an enormous amount of work to be done and I thank you in advance for your readiness to do your share."

"UNSGAB was established in 2004 to speed up progress on MDG 7, target 10, the MDG target on water and sanitation. Our own Hashimoto Action Plan summarises in just eleven pages the points requiring swift and resolute action. In short: we need more political commitment, more cross-sectoral cooperation and more money. The International Year of Sanitation is an important vehicle to achieve all this."

"Today we start mapping out a course of action that will enable us to pick up the pace on water and sanitation. As far as I am concerned, this meeting will focus on one central question. What do we want to achieve by the end of 2008, and how do we achieve it? It is important that between now and November, when the International Year of Sanitation will be launched, we take the step from general objectives to measurable targets. Targets expressed in figures, percentages and money, and in concrete project plans and partnerships."

"And that immediately brings me to the question I want to ask each and every one of you. What can you do, en route to 2015, to put achievement of the sanitation goals on the fast track? What organisational and financial sources can you tap? And how are you going to do it? I hope to hear more about that today. I can imagine that you also have questions. For instance, what role will UN DESA play as lead agency? What role will the other UN agencies play? And what can UNSGAB itself contribute through the Hashimoto Action Plan? In other words, today we have to look each other squarely in the face and say what we promise to contribute to the International Year of Sanitation 2008!"

The Prince of Orange’s entire speech from the Washington D.C. preparatory meeting to organize the International Year of Sanitation 2008 in New York can be read here.

Photos: Unicef