28 October 2014: The UN-Habitat Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance (GWOPA), ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, United Cities and Local Governments, the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Development Institute, the National Committee for the 7th World Water Forum and the World Water Council (WWC) have signed a partnership agreement to work on the role of local authorities in water and sanitation provision.

The partnership will serve as the basis for preparations for the Local and Regional Authorities Conference of the 7th World Water Forum, taking place from 12-17 April 2015, in Daegu-Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea, and the Habitat III conference taking place on the issue of housing and sustainable urban development in 2016.

The partnership will aim to: propose a road map for local and regional authorities to reach quantitative and qualitative objectives for water and sanitation, within the framework of the Istanbul Water Consensus; support cities world-wide in their commitments to facilitate access to basic services; and promote the definition and implementation of local water policies. [WWC Press Release]