WTA Crusades for a
'Toilet Revolution'

Adopts the Seoul Declaration following the Inaugural General Assembly of the WTA

The World Toilet Association (WTA) has wrapped up a three-day inaugural general assembly in Seoul on Nov. 23, 2007 by declaring the 'Seoul Declaration'committed to spreading its "Toilets for Humanity Campaign"all over world.
The members of the WTA, representing 60 countries, 150 national toilet associations, 30 observers, 15 special guests, ministerial-level government officials responsible for health and sanitation, international organizations, businesses, civic groups and academic institutions, participated in the inaugural general assembly held at the Coex Indian Hall in Seoul.
Sim Jae-duck, the first world president of the WTA, read the declaration during a news conference, saying, "We, as representatives, aim, through establishing the WTA, to share the common vision and goal of improving the world's sanitary problems. Thus, we present this Seoul Declaration as a reflection of a solemn commitment to this end." "We, the members of the WTA, are committed to the belief that toilet issues must be addressed on a global basis,"Sim said. "We will build and develop toilet facilities for regions and countries lacking proper sanitary facilities."Sim told the reporters that the WTA will undertake a pilot project to build and develop toilet facilities for the toilet associations of five countries in need of help.
He said he promised to make efforts to obtain $3.3 million in support from the Korean government in an initial step to finance the activities of the WTA.
Samuel Koo, the chair of the Inaugural General Assembly, told reporters that six U.N. agencies, including UNICEF, are involved through direct or indirect support for the inauguration of the WTA.
In his keynote speech during the opening ceremony held on Nov. 22, Dr. Shigeru Omi, the World Health Organization Regional Director for the Western Pacific, said, "The WTA's goals are to improve public health through sanitation, to enhance the quality of life, and to further the development of human culture. I appreciate the government of the ROK's support for the WTA, and I hope that the WTA may be one conduit through which the country may channel support for the improvement of sanitation and hygiene worldwide, and particularly in Asia."During the opening ceremony, Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director, delivered a video message, and congratulated the inauguration of the WTA, saying that 2.6 billion people worldwide lack basic sanitation and 1.45 million children die of water-borne diseases annually.
Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, also delivered a video message saying, "The issue of water and sanitation is one that is both important from the human well-being perspective and from the environmental perspective."The inaugural general assembly agreed to refer China's proposal to host the next biennial General Assembly of the World Toilet Association to the WTA Secretariat for review.
China dispatched a large group of 30 delegates to the Inaugural General Assembly.
Li Li Guo, Vice Secretary General of the China International Friendship Cities Association, said his central government will back a plan to host the next General Assembly.
During Session III and Closing Ceremony, a Pakistani delegate introduced her country's toilet culture, saying that diarrhea is the most serious problem her country has to address, since one-third of hospital admissions complain of the disease. Pakistan has outcome-focused strategies, including one for social mobilization, she said.
The Russian delegates of the Russian Toilet Association, including Vladimir Moksunov, president of the association, displayed a video showing the operation of a toilet car and checking toilet facilities.
During the final session, Haril Dag, former Turkish ambassador to Korea, recalled WTA President Sim's untiring effort and dedication to promoting the toilet culture, while serving as Suwon mayor, saying, "I never thought that it would lead to a toilet revolution worldwide."He also extended his thanks to the Korean government and other related agencies for their support in the promotion of the toilet culture, saying, "Korea now becomes the leader of the campaign."Sim, also known as "Mr. Toilet,"has led the toilet culture movement in Korea for nearly 10 years. He was at the forefront of the "Toilet Revolution."As mayor of Suwon, he created an administrative department that took charge of public facilities in order to ensure the provision of sanitary and convenient toilets. As a toilet campaign activist, he founded the Korea Toilet Association in 1999. He led various campaigns, including the 'Beautiful Toilet Symposium'and the 'Beautiful Toilet Contest.'Also, as a representative of the 17th National Assembly, he played a role in the enactment of the Public Toilet Act.
The participating delegates toured toilet facilities in Suwon City, the so-called 'Mecca of Public Toilets'on Nov. 23, the last leg of the inaugural general assembly before returning home.
The members of the World Toilet Association (WTA) selected leaders for the inaugural non-governmental organization during Plenary Session I of the inaugural general assembly on Nov. 22. Sim, the current Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Inaugural General Assembly of the WTA and KTA chairman was chosen as the first world president of the WTA. The WTA also elected the 15-member board of directors and five vice presidents, two more than the regulations require. Three of the vice presidents took office immediately, but two other vice presidents will take office in 2009. nw

The participating delegates of the Inaugural General Assembly of the World Toilet Association pose for group photos after agreeing on the Seoul Declaration, which is committed to spreading its 'Toilets for Humanity Campaign'all over the world, at the end of the Inaugural General Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 23.