The Road to the SDGs

PURPOSE X Despite global resolutions recognising the human right to water and sanitation, almost one-third of the world population, or 2.1 billion people, lack access to safely managed drinking water services, and 4.5 billion people (58%) still lack access to safely managed sanitation services. X Many MCs are vulnerable to water challenges such as poor endowment of natural resources, high exposure to climate change impacts, poor water and sanitation services and governance, and low agricultural water efficiency and productivity. X IsDB has had a long engagement in the water sector in its MCs. However, all IsDB’s interventions in the sector to date have been demand driven, fragmented and not framed by a clearly articulated policy. X In this regard, IsDB has adopted its Water Sector Policy (WSP) which provides a common framework for its operations in the water and sanitation sector. It establishes the basis for policy engagement and co-development of projects and programmes with MCs. The policy also offers the means to communicate and collaborate with other sectors within IsDB and with partners having a similar mandate, particularly international financial institutions, multilateral organisations, service providers and think-tanks. In doing so, IsDB will attempt to assist its MCs in securing resilient and sustainable access to water for: – Agriculture – Industry – Municipal use – Environment. X The policy is based on the guiding principles of 10YS for enhancing IsDB’s effectiveness and efficiency and the P5P. It also takes into consideration the global development agenda presented in the SDGs. Consultations with selected MCs and development partners were conducted to ensure relevance to MCs’ needs and coherence with the global agenda. METHOD X The WSP takes into account IsDB’s previous interventions in the water sector and the lessons learned while implementing those operations. It also provides an overview of the sector challenges in MCs. Its overarching vision is Water Sector Policy T hrough its new Water Sector Policy, IsDB is committed to ensuring resilient and sustainable access to water and sanitation for all The policy will help improve the design of water- related projects and programmes within MCs while ensuring efficient and effective delivery by IsDB [ 32 ] SDGs