An agenda for change: achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030

The agreement of a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030 requires a fundamental change in the way we in the sector work.

Delivering positive change in sector performance necessitates a system-wide approach that tackles all dimensions of the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector as whole. This will require a reform agenda, based on a sound understanding of the political economy, at three levels of decision making: city or district, national and global.

Recognising that we will achieve more by working together, this paper sets out some of the necessary principles that should guide our approach at each level, in order to ensure permanent water and sanitation services for all.