ID :
170031
Tue, 03/22/2011 - 16:11
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/170031
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GOV'T CELEBRATES WORLD WATER DAY WITH UN
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Government of Mongolia and the United Nations in Mongolia jointly organized Tuesday a ceremony observing World Water Day in the Government House.
The objective of the 2011 World Water Day is to focus attention on urban population growth, industrialization, conflicts and natural disasters and their impact on urban water systems. This year's theme, "Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge," aims to highlight and encourage governments, private sector and individuals to actively engage in addressing water scarcity and quality through better urban water management.
Today, more than half of the world's population lives in towns and cities. Although urbanization helps reduce overall poverty by providing new opportunities to people, urban population growth has been accompanied by a rise in urban poverty. Without water there is no dignity and no escape from poverty. Yet, many countries lag behind in achieving the Millennium Development Goal target for water and sanitation.
Water management and investments in water related infrastructure have not kept up with the pace of urbanization. On the one side, with increased demand for water, there is increased pressure on water sources, resulting in water scarcity. Climate change is expected to compound the problem, increasing water shortages in many parts of the world. On the other, with increased urban waste and sewage, water sources are increasingly polluted, resulting in increased health problems.
In a statement to mark the day, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon notes:
“On World Water Day, I urge governments to recognize the urban water crisis for what it is -- a crisis of governance, weak policies and poor management, rather than one of scarcity. Let us also pledge to reverse the alarming decline in pro poor investment in water and sanitation. And let us reaffirm our commitment to ending the plight of the more than 800 million people who, in a world of plenty, still do not have the safe drinking water or sanitation they need for a life in dignity and good health.“ Ban Ki-moon said.
Over the last few decades, Mongolia has experienced unprecedented urbanization and today 62 per cent of all Mongolians live in urban centers. Of these, Ulaanbaatar city alone holds 41.4 per cent of the total population, close to 60 percent of which live in ger areas not connected to the urban water supply system. The provision of safe water and basic sanitation to the urban poor is a critical challenge facing Mongolia today. National figures indicate that 47.8 per cent of total population has access to safe water and 30 per cent to adequate sanitation.
As an important step to address these issues, the United Nations agencies in Mongolia commend the Ministry of Nature and Environment for announcing 2011 as the “Year of Water”.
Through their various programs including the UN Joint Program on Water and Sanitation, the UN agencies in Mongolia are supporting national and local authorities to address the governance and technology challenges related to improving access to safe water and adequate sanitation in urban and rural settlements.
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The objective of the 2011 World Water Day is to focus attention on urban population growth, industrialization, conflicts and natural disasters and their impact on urban water systems. This year's theme, "Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge," aims to highlight and encourage governments, private sector and individuals to actively engage in addressing water scarcity and quality through better urban water management.
Today, more than half of the world's population lives in towns and cities. Although urbanization helps reduce overall poverty by providing new opportunities to people, urban population growth has been accompanied by a rise in urban poverty. Without water there is no dignity and no escape from poverty. Yet, many countries lag behind in achieving the Millennium Development Goal target for water and sanitation.
Water management and investments in water related infrastructure have not kept up with the pace of urbanization. On the one side, with increased demand for water, there is increased pressure on water sources, resulting in water scarcity. Climate change is expected to compound the problem, increasing water shortages in many parts of the world. On the other, with increased urban waste and sewage, water sources are increasingly polluted, resulting in increased health problems.
In a statement to mark the day, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon notes:
“On World Water Day, I urge governments to recognize the urban water crisis for what it is -- a crisis of governance, weak policies and poor management, rather than one of scarcity. Let us also pledge to reverse the alarming decline in pro poor investment in water and sanitation. And let us reaffirm our commitment to ending the plight of the more than 800 million people who, in a world of plenty, still do not have the safe drinking water or sanitation they need for a life in dignity and good health.“ Ban Ki-moon said.
Over the last few decades, Mongolia has experienced unprecedented urbanization and today 62 per cent of all Mongolians live in urban centers. Of these, Ulaanbaatar city alone holds 41.4 per cent of the total population, close to 60 percent of which live in ger areas not connected to the urban water supply system. The provision of safe water and basic sanitation to the urban poor is a critical challenge facing Mongolia today. National figures indicate that 47.8 per cent of total population has access to safe water and 30 per cent to adequate sanitation.
As an important step to address these issues, the United Nations agencies in Mongolia commend the Ministry of Nature and Environment for announcing 2011 as the “Year of Water”.
Through their various programs including the UN Joint Program on Water and Sanitation, the UN agencies in Mongolia are supporting national and local authorities to address the governance and technology challenges related to improving access to safe water and adequate sanitation in urban and rural settlements.
12.00
