14 August 2013: The Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) Partnership released a progress update on SWA commitments since its 2012 High-level Meeting (HLM). The update reviews progress on 400 commitments to address barriers to delivering sustainable water and sanitation services made by 37 developing country governments and 11 donors and development banks at the 2012 SWA HLM. The update also underscores the need for continued effort to fulfill commitments by 2014.

Developing countries reported completion or good progress on 58 per cent of commitments, while donors reported completion or good progress on 81 per cent of commitments, according to the update. However, less than fifty per cent of both country and donor commitments are on track to be achieved by 2014.

The update focuses on commitments in three priority areas: political prioritization; evidence based decision making; and national planning processes. Highlighted achievements include: progress by 15 developing countries in addressing open defecation by scaling up community-based approaches to sanitation; increased budget allocations for sanitation and water by nine countries; and increased funding or prioritization of sanitation by four donors. Other achievements include strengthened information and decision-making systems; and strengthened relationships among ministries.

The report identifies several challenges, including the need to strengthen financial and institutional arrangements, reduce sector fragmentation and address human resource gaps. It recommends improving the effectiveness and sustainability of service delivery and using better information in planning.

John Kufuor, SWA Chair, said the report shows “political will and strong leadership can drive action, even in the toughest environments.” He also urged leaders to remain focused on delivering upon commitments, noting additional time and effort is required “to fully achieve our collective vision of universal access to sanitation and water.”

The SWA will hold its third HLM in April 2014. The report recommends the preparatory process accelerate progress and result in additional commitments that are focused, measurable and aligned with national priorities and plans. [SWA Press Release] [Publication: 2013 Progress Update on the 2012 SWA High-level Meeting Commitments]