The talk will focus on the present sanitation scenario in the South and South East Asia region. It will include an overview of the progress achieved by these countries during the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) era and where they stand in terms of gaining an Open Development Free (ODF) national status. Against the backdrop of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Goal 6 of achieving an ODF world by 2030, this positioning will help us chart the preparedness of the countries in terms of fast tracking the access to improved sanitation and tackling the menacing challenges of under-nutrition, stunting, child mortality, water borne disease burden and eventually, national prosperity.

The talk will highlight the major elements which either hasten or hinder sanitation access which can ensure sustainable health outcomes for its end users and will focus on some crucial questions: Are these country governments prepared to launch a local community driven campaign using their own resources? How are the countries going to tackle sanitation challenges in the context of large scale migration due to natural disasters, humanitarian conflicts and unplanned urbanization? What is the role of the government policy in enhancing the total sanitation access? How have the lessons of MDGs been incorporated in the government policies in adjusting their ODF national targets and roadmaps? What is the role of the donor agencies in improving the sanitation access? How do countries with limited financial capability apply the community led approach? The talk will provide an insight into how the national and regional policies can use sanitation as an entry point and create an enabling environment for holistic development.