The Tenth Annual Global Water Alliance Conference, with the theme“Role of Locals in Implementing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sustainable Development Goals, 2015-2030” is to be held in Kolkata, India from January 4-7, 2017 (Site visits January 5-6).The focus of the conference will be on the essential role of local NGOs, beneficiaries, civic organizations, business and local governments in attaining the ambitious goals of the newly-adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for water, sanitation, and hygiene for all (2015-2030). Sustainability will be the key focus of discussions in the conference.

The Global Water Alliance (GWA), an international NGO, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA is dedicated to help poor people in developing countries on the issues of water, sanitation and hygiene. GWA conducts a conference each year on WASH issues in developing countries.  Tenth Annual Conference of GWA will be held on January 4-7, 2017 in Kolkata, India in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania (including Department of Earth and Environmental Science, the Wharton School, Center for the Advanced Study of India and Department of South Asian Studies), Drexel University, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur and others.

 Substantial progress has been made by India and the rest of the world in meeting the water-related goals specified in the Millennium Development Goals which have been replaced by the SDGs for the 2015-2030 timeframe. At present, a large population in India does not have access to good water and sanitation. Government of India (GOI) started a vigorous program of Swacch Bharat with the objective to provide access to water and sanitation to all. However, there is much work still to be done and the SDGs will not be met without creative and sustained leadership at the local level. The aim of this conference will be to share the key challenges, opportunities and best solutions involving communities, local NGOs, and local governments. This workshop based conference will provide an opportunity to the participants to visit WASH projects in West Bengal to analyze and identify issues and provide sustainable solutions.

For more details, click here or download the announcement from below.