The pan-European region (the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region and Liechtenstein) is putting resilience at the core of its programming for water, sanitation and hygiene, in response to escalating global crises. The Protocol on Water and Health celebrates its 20th anniversary against a backdrop of worsening climate change, conflict, shifting disease patterns and demographics. The unique international agreement fundamentally links sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene management with the prevention and control of water-related diseases. It is a legally binding instrument, convening health, environmental and water sectors, to achieve key regional goals.
The seventh session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol is convening in Budapest at the invitation of the Hungarian Government and the joint secretariat provided by WHO/Europe and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The high-level segment on the opening day will focus on resilient systems for a healthier future, bringing together ministers and high-level representatives. They are expected to adopt an ambitious, forward-looking programme of work for the next 3 years, with a strategic resilience-focused perspective of future water, sanitation and hygiene efforts for better health.
The Protocol on Water and Health directly supports the strong focus on climate resilience, health security and future-proofing health systems outlined in both the 2023 Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health and the new second European Programme of Work, making it essential for realizing ambitious targets in strengthening water, sanitation and hygiene systems and services.
Two decades of tangible progress
Twenty years on, the role of the Protocol remains as relevant as ever. “Today, 118 million people in the region are served by health-care facilities that still lack basic sanitation. Health-care facilities are where the vulnerable seek healing. Yet, without adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, for too many people expected care can become inadvertent harm,” notes Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “The bottom line is that safe water, sanitation and hygiene must be integral to any investment in modern health care.”
Since its entry into force in 2005, the Protocol has been credited with playing a significant role in expanding access to safely managed water and sanitation services, improving drinking-water quality and advancing hygiene practices across the pan-European region. It offers Member States a library of evidence-based tools and guidance. Together with its strong focus on practical implementation in countries, the Protocol drives progress on water, sanitation and health in the region.
The Protocol has driven the adoption of risk-based water safety planning, a WHO-recommended approach now used to address climate and other risks in more than 30 countries. Guidance developed under the Protocol has also supported in-depth assessments in over 1500 health-care facilities across 10 countries, leading to concrete improvements for tens of millions of people. A newly published review of evidence on Legionella, one of the most relevant waterborne pathogens in the region, will guide better understanding of its emergence and measures for its prevention and control.
“We can’t afford complacency. As the impacts of climate change intensify, health emergencies multiply, environmental degradation accelerates and new threats, such as cybersecurity threats, emerge, the task ahead becomes even more urgent,” notes Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of UNECE. “For a safe and secure future, we must invest in resilient and equitable water, sanitation and hygiene systems.”
Investment in resilient water, sanitation and hygiene systems is an investment in people’s health. By strengthening resilience, we will be supporting stronger and healthier communities facing an uncertain future.