Universal access to water and sanitation is one of the major challenges of the Twenty-First Century. This is key to sustainable development, to the fight against poverty, to the protection of the environment and often, to peace and security. Crucially, the challenge primarily concerns countries that top the French agenda in terms of development assistance, such as Sub-Saharan African countries.
The World Water Forum in Marseille is an opportunity to promote the commitment of all in the fight for access to water and sanitation: nations, local governments, but also associations, NGOs and businesses. It will also help improve the quantitative and qualitative management of water resources, the role of local and regional authorities, and transboundary cooperation.
The Forum of Marseille is an opportunity for France to demonstrate its strong commitment on this issue. The stakes are high: after Marseille, conditions must be met for the whole world to have access to safe water.
Alain Juppé
Ministre d’Etat,
Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
More information: download here the second announcement
Related page: the political process of the Forum