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OFID observes Word Water Day 2014

March 22 marks the observance of UN World Water Day, when a number of celebrations, high-level forums, and awareness-raising events are held across the globe. The UN General Assembly designated March 22 as the first World Water Day in 1993, and in 2010 the Assembly declared 2013 as the UN Year of International Water Cooperation.

In 2014, the UN System – working closely with its Member States and other relevant stakeholders – is collectively bringing its attention to the water-energy nexus, particularly addressing inequities, especially for the 'bottom billion' who live in slums and impoverished rural areas and survive without access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, sufficient food and energy services.

OFID places water-food-energy nexus at the heart of its 2016-2025 strategic plan, in the firm conviction that only an integrated, holistic approach can address the challenges across the board, while compromising none.

Since its inception, OFID has contributed to the water supply and sanitation sector, reaching nearly US$918m as of year-end 2013. These resources have supported a wide range of operations, from large-scale water storage, treatment and distribution projects to village pumps and school latrines, as well as to schemes for the rationalization of water use in arid regions.

This support continues in 2014. In February, OFID signed a US$52m loan agreement with Panama for the Panama Bay and City Sanitation Project (complementary works for Phase I). The project aims at improving basic sanitary conditions in the Panama City and Bay Region, thereby helping improve the general health and economic conditions of approximately 1.2 million people. OFID had also co-financed Phase I with a US$20m loan.

Also in February, OFID signed a US$20m public sector loan agreement with the Maldives for the Outer Islands Water Supply and Sewerage Facilities Project, which aims at helping improve the health and living conditions of approximately 12,000 people residing in five islands through the provision of safe water and sanitation services.

And recently at the 146th session of OFID's Governing Board on March 18, two public sector loans were approved to co-fund water-related projects:

Two grants were also approved at the session: