Address water inequity to realise 2030 sustainable development goals, says UN chief

Geneva:
UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon on Monday stressed on the need to address water inequity to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

The secretary general said that water as a sector generally does not receive the attention it deserves. 

"Water is central to human survival, the environment and the economy. All workers can be harmed by poor water and sanitation.  Of 2 million work-related deaths every year, nearly one-in-five are caused by poor quality drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene," he said.


People with the least access to water and sanitation often also lack access to health care and stable jobs.  This perpetuates the cycle of poverty. 

"I am especially concerned by gaps between cities and the countryside, men and women, and rich and poor.  The basic provision of adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services at home, at school and in the workplace enables a robust economy by contributing to a healthy and productive population and workforce," he said.