2008 International Year of Sanitation
“... I call on the international community, national governments and civil society to take up the cause of sanitation with unprecedented vigour. Let us make this a year of global achievement, one that generates real, positive changes for the billions of people who do not yet enjoy this basic ingredient of human welfare.”
United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon
In December 2006, the UN General Assembly declared 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation (A/C.2/61/L.16/Rev.1) and requested the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) to serve as the focal point for the Year and to develop proposals on possible activities. The Year was one of the recommendations of the Hashimoto Action Plan launched by the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) in March 2006 at the 4th World Water Forum.
- Official Website on the International Year of Sanitation