WASH for Health 330d ago

At the official launch of the Global Call to Action on Strengthening Water and Sanitation Regulatory Systems, Gustavo Saltiel, former Global Lead for Water Supply and Sanitation at the World Bank, delivered a stirring address urging governments and partners to treat regulation not as bureaucracy but as the “backbone of sustainable services.” Speaking to a global audience convened by WHO and the International Water Association (IWA), Saltiel warned that the world is off track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6—water and sanitation for all—by 2030. With only five years remaining, he described this moment as a “pivotal point in history.” Drawing on World Bank research spanning 40 countries and decades of field experience, Saltiel laid out the transformational power of effective regulation in achieving universal access, financial sustainability, and improved service quality. He emphasized that: - Regulation bridges the gap between policy and service delivery; - It is vital for navigating the multi-crisis landscape of climate change, rapid urbanization, financial constraints, and political instability; - And it is the only way to unlock private and blended finance and promote climate-resilient investments. “Regulation is not a luxury—it’s the infrastructure that makes everything else possible,” Saltiel said. He cited examples ranging from climate adaptation to fragile-state contexts like Yemen, where even limited oversight can maintain basic services and avert health crises. In a passionate closing, Saltiel framed the global choice in stark terms: “Either continue with business as usual and watch SDG 6 slip away, or embrace regulation as the game changer our sector needs.” He called the Call to Action “our collective commitment to making regulation central to SDG strategies,” and challenged all stakeholders to act now. Saltiel’s remarks were a highlight of the launch, which brought together global experts, regulators, and development partners to rally behind the shared vision for improved health, equity, and resilience through stronger water and sanitation regulatory systems.