The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development covers 17 goals, the sixth of which is "Clean Water and Sanitation", namely: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.  (Click here for details)

Under this major goal, there are eight targets, the first of which is "By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all".

● Current Situation

About the World

Billions of People Lack Clean Drinking Water and Sanitation 

While substantial progress has been made in increasing access to clean drinking water and sanitation, billions of people—mostly in rural areas—still lack these basic services. Worldwide, one in three people do not have access to safe drinking water, two out of five people do not have a basic hand-washing facility with soap and water, and more than 673 million people still practice open defecation.

The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of sanitation, hygiene and adequate access to clean water for preventing and containing diseases. Hand hygiene saves lives. According to the World Health Organization, handwashing is one of the most effective action you can take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including the Covid-19 virus. Yet billions of people still lack safe water sanitation, and funding is inadequate.

Text and photo source: un.org

About China

Drinking Water for Rural Residents Significantly Improved

China is the biggest country for it's population in the world, with a large rural population. Due to its natural, economic and social conditions, many rural residents have encountered drinking water difficulties and drinking water insecurity. 

Chinese governments have been paying great importance to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In order to improve the quality of life and conditions for the vast number of rural residents carrying out production, Chinese government has successively implemented the 11th five year plan, the 12th Five Year Plan and the 13th five year plan for rural drinking water safety. It has guided various localities to build a large number of rural drinking water projects, which has significantly improved the drinking water conditions of rural residents.

Text and photo source: sohu.com

●  Cases

About the World

UN Water Action Decade 2018-2028

In December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution of "2018-2028 International Action Decade - Sustainable Development Water Resources", which urges the world’s attention for the next decade. 

The new decade focuses on sustainable development and integrated management of water resources to achieve social, economic and environmental goals, implement and promote relevant programme and promote cooperation and partnership at all levels to help achieve internationally agreed water related goals and targets, including those set out in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The decade starts on World Water Day on 22 March, 2018 and will end on 22 March, 2028.

Text and photo source: un.org

Water Resources Management System in Singapore 

The domestic water resources in Singapore is about 600 million cubic meters, which means per capita water resources is only 211 cubic meters, ranking the second from the bottom in the world. It is the country with the most scarce water resources in the world. 

Photo source: sohu.com

Singapore used to rely on imported water resources, making water resources the biggest potential crisis. Thus the water resources are regarded as the rigid constraint index of social and economic development. Under the influence of this policy, Singapore has established the strictest water resources protection laws and regulations since the country was set up with a perfect sewage discharge system and a national awareness of water conservation.

Text source: sohu.com

About China

Water Purification Programme by Shenzhen One Foundation

The Water Purification Programme aims to ensure every child in China to be access to sufficient, safe and affordable drinking water. It was jointly launched by Shenzhen One Foundation and Coca Cola China. 

Photo source: qq.com 

The Programme is to tackle the issue of lacking clean drinking water in rural schools, which may affect children's health. It provides schools in rural areas with water purification equipment and distributes water cups designed for children in rural areas. The Programme also provides training on how to improve their drinking water conditions, quality and safety awareness.

Text source: onefoundation.cn

UNDP and Haier Worked on Drinking Water Project in Rural Areas

In November 2016, the United Nations Development Programme and Haier Group worked together on the project of "Healthy Drinking Water and Water Resources Environmental Protection in Rural Areas in China". It responded to China's development plan, and explored the development path of healthy drinking water in rural areas.

The "One Village, One Water Station" healthy drinking water project was jointly promoted by Haier’s Ririshun health platform and local governments, with the purpose of implementing rural water health and resources protection project. 

Photo source: tianshui.com.cn

The project is defined as "healthy water makes green water and mountains, and ecological villages help sustainable development". The project aims to demonstrate and promote healthy drinking water scheme, relevant knowledge about healthy drinking water and water resources protection, and improve village people' healthy drinking water environment and rural water resources ecological environment protection construction.

Text source: Qingdao Daily

●  Background

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Initiated by the United Nations

On 1 January, 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 169 targets, of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.