The Zaragoza Conference focused on the tools for implementation stated in the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro from 20 to 22 June 2012, entitled "The future we want", which includes finance, technology and capacity building, adding the institutional and policy dimensions.

>> WELCOMING SPEECH by H.E. Mr. Sirodjidin Aslov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajik stan, to the participants of the UN-Water Zaragoza

>> Welcome video message by Michel Jarraud, UN-Water Chair, to the participants of the UN-Water Zaragoza Conference

>> Just Out!!!! Conference report

>> Conference Photo Gallery

>> Cases
>> Conference daily
>> Conference Communications Report
>> Discussion forum
>> Information briefs on Water and Sustainable Development
>> Interviewing conference participants
>> Overview Papers
>> Presentations from participants
>> Session Reports
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>> Video recording of sessions
>> Video interviews with conference participants

What has changed in the water sector over the Decade?

During the last decade the world has transitioned to becoming predominantly urban. Much of this shift is taking place in the global South which, while still mostly rural, has seen millions of people moving to urban areas and slums. This means that we need to increase our efforts to provide water solutions in cities and especially in informal settlements. A great deal of work has been done to provide water to these areas under the Millennium Development Goals but a lot still needs to be done.

What has been UN Habitat´s role in the change?

UN-Habitat works to support the efforts by governments in developing countries in the achievement of the internationally agreed goals related to water and sanitation in human settlements, with a particular focus on the urban poor. UN-Habitat focuses on bringing in new investment and innovative ideas to the urban water and sanitation sector, expanding service coverage for poor urban dwellers, and help in building momentum behind the attainment of water and sanitation Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets. This is achieved through city-level demonstration projects, institutional strengthening of service providers and engagement in normative work, including national policy and reform processes.

To support these activities, UN-Habitat launched a Water and Sanitation Trust Fund in 2003 as a fast track financing mechanism aimed at bringing in new investment and innovative ideas to the urban water and sanitation sector, expanding service coverage for poor urban dwellers, and help in building momentum behind the attainment of water and sanitation Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets.

Key achievements of the Trust Fund include: 1.6million people provided with safe drinking water and sanitation; USD 145 million capitalized over 10 years; Over USD 100 million leveraged through partnership with development banks; and 36 countries have adopted pro-poor water and sanitation policies.

What are your hopes for the future?

The good news is that urbanisation provides an opportunity for us in service provision. Through proximity, providing water in urban areas is easier, cheaper and more efficient than to remote and spread out rural areas. As the world becomes more urban, we need to plan in advance for the services that will be needed by rapidly growing cities in developing countries.

As we look beyond 2015 and towards the new Sustainable Development Goals we hope that water is included and recognised as one of the key areas for work, as highlighted by the proposed goal 6; Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. In addition, our work in this area must continue to be set in a growing urban context. In 2016, the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation will take place. This will be a unique opportunity to take stock of what we have achieved so far and set us on the path for a New Urban Agenda – one in which people in all human settlements around the world have access to water.

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