Freshwater Resources: Extract from the Mauritius Strategy - Chapter V, paras 33-37

33. Small island developing States continue to face water management and water access challenges, caused in part by deficiencies in water availability, water catchment and storage, pollution of water resources, saline intrusion (which may be exacerbated, inter alia , by sea-level rise, unsustainable management of water resources, and climate variability and climate change) and leakage in the delivery system. Sustained urban water supply and sanitation systems are constrained by a lack of human, institutional and financial resources. The access to safe drinking water, the provision of sanitation and the promotion of hygiene are the foundations of human dignity, public health and economic and social development and are among the priorities for small island developing States. 34. Small island developing States in the Caribbean and the Pacific regions have demonstrated their commitment to cooperation with each other through the Joint Programme of Action for Water and Climate. The international community is invited to support the implementation of that Programme of Action , and the proposal to extend it to all small island developing States regions. 35. Further action is required by small island developing States, with the necessary support from the international community, to meet the Millennium Development Goals and World Summit on Sustainable Development 2015 targets on sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation, hygiene, and the production of integrated water resources management and efficiency plans by 2005. 36. The international community is requested to provide assistance to small island developing States for capacity-building for the development and further implementation of freshwater and sanitation programmes, and the promotion of integrated water resources management, including through the Global Environment Facility focal areas, where appropriate; the World Water Assessment Programme; and support to the Global Programme of Action Coordination Office and the European Union Water for Life Initiative. 37. The Fourth World Water Forum, to be held in Mexico City in March 2006, and its preparatory process will be an opportunity for the small island developing States to continue to seek international support to build self -reliance and implement their agreed priority actions as submitted to the Third World Water Forum Portfolio of Water Actions, namely, integrated water resources management (including using the Hydrological Cycle Observing System); water demand management; water quality capacity-building; water governance; regional water partnerships; and water partnerships among small island developing States.