Access to Basic Services

Access to basic services such as water, sanitation, waste, transport and communication is necessary to realize everyone’s right to an adequate standard of living as it is recognized in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The number of people living in urban areas is growing rapidly. However, many of them, and especially the poorest, lack access to basic services which harms their effort to improve their situations. What is needed is therefore a joint effort on all levels of government - local, national and international - as well the involvement of both public and private actors to deal with these issues.

 
After the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, UNITAR and UN-HABITAT took the initiative to tackle the challenge of “Access to Basic Services for All”. In a first step, they identified the respective roles of stakeholders such as national governments, local authorities, civil society organizations, international organizations and enterprises. Based on this work and following resolution 20/5 of the UN-HABITAT Governing Council, UNITAR then participated in the compilation of best practices as well as the identification of underlying principles with regard to the delivery of basic services.
In a second step, UN-HABITAT and UNITAR elaborated guidelines on access to basic services. Several Expert Group Meetings took place, offering to all stakeholders the opportunity to discuss and comment on the drafts. Finally, the guidelines were approved by the Governing Council of UN-HABITAT in April 2009, which shows that there is now a clear commitment on the part of the states to engage in the improvement of basic services provision.
 
Because the role of local authorities in this process is crucial, UNITAR continues to promote the project through its Local Development Programme. LDP is going to offer training sessions on the implementation of the guidelines through its network of CIFAL training centers. Throughout its activities, UNITAR focuses on a participative approach and aims at building strong partnerships and networks among the various stakeholders.