On the occasion of World Water Day (22 March), this infographic includes data from the thirteen BSEC countries regarding the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 “Clean Water and Sanitation”. This Goal declares the importance of “ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”.
The infographic focuses on the following:
*UN SDG Target 6.1 by 2030: to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
*UN SDG Target 6.2 by 2030: to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
*UN SDG Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
HIGHLIGHTS
According to the UN statistics, 25.8 % of the population in the 13 BSEC countries lacks a safely managed drinking water service, while a noticeable 49% still do not have access to a safely managed sanitation service.
Regarding the use of safe drinking water, the Hellenic Republic has the highest performance rating at 98.9%, while the Republic of Moldova shows the highest percentage increase (from 40.4% in 2000 to 75.2% in 2022).
As for sanitation, Romania has the highest percentage increase (from 46.9% in 2001 to 87.6% in 2022). In 2022, fewer people use safely managed sanitation services in the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Serbia and Georgia which has the largest decrease (from 42.6% in 2000 to 24.1% in 2022).
At the same time, the Black Sea average for supporting local participation in water resources planning and management stands at a mediocre 1.25 points –where 3 is the highest.
Source: Global Sustainable Development Goal Indicators Database (last synchronized in December 2023), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal (accessed on 26 March 2024)
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