The U.S. government has unveiled a water strategy that aims to expand access to safe drinking water and improve sanitation around the world, Voice of America reports.
“Clean water and sanitation are fundamental to health, economic development, peace and security,” the State Department and the United Nations Agency for International Development said in a statement.
The Global Water Strategy aims to achieve water security around the world. According to the agencies, 30% of the world’s population does not have access to clean drinking water in their homes, and 60% live in unsanitary conditions.
The agencies estimate that due to the lack of strategies to ensure adequate water resources, two-thirds of the world’s population will live under water stress by 2025.
The strategy calls on the U.S. government to work with other countries and “key players” to expand access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation. Key elements of the plan also include protection, exchange, regulation and financing of water resources.
The strategy focuses primarily on regions with the most acute needs, where work “best serves the national security interests” of the United States, the statement said.
