In preparation of the 2005 World Summit of Gleneagles 2005, this document was presented to the G8 leaders, in order to simulate progress and action concerning the MDGs in water and sanitation. The authors consider financing the MDGs affordable and achievable, particularly if new investments are well targeted at providing services to the poor and presently unserved. Getting the finance to halve the proportions of people unserved with water or sanitation by 2015 requires action on two levels.

Sector specific : 1) prioritise water and sanitation within developing countries’ spending plans; 2) double aid and other spending on water and sanitation; 3) provide sustainable services and target the poor, involve users in planning and financing; 4) support the strengthening of public institutions in the sector; 5) open dialogue between governments and their citizens on solutions to the deficiencies of water and sanitation service provision.

Wider development agenda : 1) reverse the decline in aid to Africa; 2) overhaul the process for debt relief and cancel the debts of all sub-Saharan African countries within HIPC; and 3) build government capacity at all levels to monitor and drive progress.

The authors call upon the Heads of State of the G8 to show leadership on these issues, and suggest that their continuing concern could be represented by a Task Force overseeing both increases in the resources from development aid and debt relief, and an open discourse on how other sources of financing for water and sanitation for the poor could be found.

This report highlights the growing international water crisis as it relates to water supply and management, particularly: the chronic and worsening problem of global drought and water supplies as a result of population increase, climate change and groundwater overexploitation; implications for the poorest citizens of the world; and the need for urgent international action. Case studies and data from Asia and Africa are provided.