WaterAid’s statement on Proclamation of His Majesty, King Charles III

His vision and presence on the global stage can push sustainability and climate issues forward.

– WaterAid

His Majesty, King Charles III had been WaterAid’s President since 1991 and remains a driving force for us to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. We work in 28 countries to change the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people. Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 28 million people with clean water and nearly 29 million people with decent toilets.

Quoting Tim Wainwright, CE of WaterAid:

His Majesty The King has played a hugely significant role over the past decades on critical global issues such as climate change, the protection of nature and bio-diversity. With the climate crisis being felt in some of the most vulnerable communities across the globe, and in many Commonwealth countries from Pakistan to Mozambique, we hope he will continue to be that driving force for good.

Issues such as sustainability, global water security and how we treat natural resources are close to HM The King’s heart. HM The King, who is currently also President of WaterAid, spearheaded the Sustainable Market Initiative to convene the private sector to be a real catalyst to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. His vision, ambition, drive and his mere presence on the global stage can push sustainability and climate issues forward. We strongly hope he will continue to convene the world on these critical challenges facing humanity.

However, our mission is far from over. The climate crisis is indeed a water crisis which is visible and continuously being intensified in the context of Bangladesh and South Asia. To date:

• 3.79 million people in Bangladesh still do not have clean water close to home.
• 75.4 million people in Bangladesh - one in two - do not have a decent toilet of their own.
• 68.5 million people in Bangladesh - two in five - lack good hygiene at home.

Indeed, sustainable approaches are required for water management and tackling climate change effects. With the support of our patron and the numerous supporters of WaterAid, we will be able to do just that.