Seems there is little interest in a collaborative south south platform

Water and waste water considerations in the in most developing global south countries, can no longer be segregated into rural and urban dualities. Dependence of cities on water and waste water footprint impacts rural areas and natural habitats as much of not more that the urban habitation. While the SDGs try to drill the understanding that all development goals are interlinked and one cannot be reached without addressing the others, this does not often translate into the work of government and NGOs, that often have different programmes, ministries and projects that deal with different aspects of the same problem. Climate change impacts in the intensification of an already existing water crisis. Tools and frameworks addressing ground water or surface water of city, are often developed in a limited spatial frame of city administrative boundaries. Inequities within a city – in terms of burgeoning informal settlements and slums, translate into unequal access to all services including water, waste water and sanitation. Within a city or within a rural district, inequity(social and economic), often translates into unequal access to all services, including water. Discourse on water, waste water and sanitation has moved across different issues. Starting from the “Water decade” of the 1980s, to Sanitation in the 1990s, Water Sensitive Urban Design and Planning(WSUDP), Household water Treatment Systems(HWTS), Hygiene and Menstrual Hygiene, Faecal Sludge Management(FSM), City Wide Inclusive Sanitation(CWIS) and Ground Water. Several tools and frameworks have been developed and applied in the WASH sector broadly. It is important to prioritise WASH issues on the ground, engage with people to identify solutions, and to develop and use frameworks and tools that empower people and enhance their analytical understanding for local solutions. Collaborative partnerships are critical in achieving long term outcomes. 

Consultation Aim Challenges and priorities in water, waste water and sanitation vary across countries. From drinking water development to water source security and water quality issues, to building toilets and becoming Open Defecation Free, to addressing urban waste water management and septage management, protection of lakes and water bodies, resilience to droughts and floods, etc.  Experience and expertise also varies across countries. There is much that the Global South countries of Africa and Asia can offer to each other, and to also learn from each other. The Global South Water, Waste water and Sanitation Initiative endevors to create a platform for learning and exchange among African and Asian countries. Starting with an online meet, we would follow this with more engagement and cross visits if possible.