The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) commits to increasing access to water and sanitation services for low-income and vulnerable groups in the pan-European region. UNECE will undertake this work by supporting assessments of water access equity and by supporting the development of national action plans. To begin this work, the UNECE will publish a framework document “UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health.” In the framework, the UNECE will give priority attention to equity aspects in policymaking processes related to the provision of water and sanitation services. The framework will contribute to the development of baseline studies on the situation of equitable access to water and sanitation. It will inform the development of national water policies and actions for improvement. The framework will also strengthen country capacities in addressing challenges and adopting possible solutions to ensure equitable access in the pan-European region. The commitment will help reduce social and economic inequalities, create positive health impacts and educational outcomes and contribute to poverty reduction.
The commitment falls under focus area 8 of the Batumi Initiative to improve access to services, healthy living and well-being.
Implementing partners will include Lead Party(ies) for this area of work and WHO/Europe co-secretariat; subsidiary bodies under the Protocol on Water and Health,;National and local administrations; private companies, in particular water supply and sanitation providers; and non-governmental organisations.
The commitment is relevant to SDG targets 1.4, 4.a, 6.1, 6.2, and 11.1