Works and human settlement minister Dorji Choden is attending the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) Sector Ministers’ Meeting at Washington DC, USA from April 19 to 20, according to a press release issued by the UN in Bhutan.

Convened by UNICEF on behalf of the SWA global partnership, this high level meeting brings together ministers to agree on priority actions and share experiences to achieve the sanitation, water and hygiene related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

More than 200 participants from over 40 countries, civil society organisations and development partners are attending the meeting. Lyonpo Dorji Choden is accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement and the Ministry of Health.

Bhutan’s three-member delegation participated in three Ministerial Dialogue discussions which were mainly focused on: Achieving safely managed sanitation services whole eliminating inequalities; maintaining progress on the SDGs in the face of risks and vulnerabilities, including climate change and disasters; and grappling with universality and financial sustainability.

Lyonpo Dorji Choden shared Bhutan’s experiences and challenges in achieving the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. Raising concerns on the need to match the softer components of WASH such as awareness with the services provided. “While it is important to educate people on hand washing, it is equally necessary to ensure that people have access to taps with running water and soap,” she said.

Lyonpo also expressed that the Sanitation and Water for All is a good platform to bring countries and development partners together to share and learn about different innovative approaches for achieving the WASH targets by 2030.

SWA is a global partnership for over 100 countries, civil organisations and development partners working together to catalyse political leadership and action, improve accountability and use scarce resources effectively.

Lyonpo also expressed that the Sanitation and Water for All is a good platform to bring countries and development partners together to share and learn about different innovative approaches for achieving the WASH targets by 2030.

SWA is a global partnership for over 100 countries, civil organizations and development partners working together to catalyse political leadership and action, improve accountability and use scarce resources effectively.

Staff reporter  

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