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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

World Environment Day (5th June)
Message from the Commonwealth Secretary-General

4 June 2003

By the time you finish reading this message another eight children will have died, needlessly, from unsafe water or poor sanitation. On World Environment Day I hope we will keep those children in mind, and sharpen our resolve to help the one billion people who have never seen a glass of clean water in their life. They are all threatened with the same fate.

Access to clean water is fundamental to human life and development. I know people and governments right across the Commonwealth are pleased that water is the theme this year on World Environment Day. The challenge of providing safe and adequate water for the health and other basic needs of all the world's people is increasing as the global population rises. Pressure on land can be part of the problem. In many areas, competition for and abuse of water resources has resulted in water shortages and reduced water quality, greatly affecting economic and social development. But we can and must rise to the challenge.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is engaged in finding solutions to the water problem. Our approach promotes the co-ordinated development and management of water, land and other related resources to maximise social and economic benefits without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. All our programmes of assistance in development, democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law offer hope to people still without the water they need. Meanwhile the Commonwealth Science Council (CSC) has been working alongside others to develop tools and skills for effective water policies, planning and management. As part of an international team, CSC is pioneering a water poverty index.

Despite the grim statistics there are positive developments to celebrate and support on Environment Day, not least the growing role played by women in ensuring the safe provision of water. It is mainly women who will educate the coming generations about health and hygiene. And we know that where women are closely involved in the development of water institutions and strategies, these are far more likely to succeed.
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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
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Email: info@commonwealth.int