International Relations : International Organisations

Q 10 / 59

UPSC CSE Prelims 2024

Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization :

  1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations.
  2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
  3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option

Statement 2 is correct.

The World Toilet Organization (WTO) has initiated several key programs to address global sanitation challenges. These include:

  • World Toilet Summit: An international platform for discussing sanitation and hygiene issues.
  • World Toilet Day: Launched in 2001 to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis. The United Nations officially recognized November 19 as World Toilet Day in 2013.
  • World Toilet College: Established in 2005, it is a vocational training institution aimed at building capacity and spreading best practices in hygiene and sanitation among workers and communities.

These initiatives collectively aim to mobilize global action and improve access to safe sanitation facilities.

Incorrect Options

Statement 1 is incorrect. The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is not an agency of the United Nations. It is a Singapore-based global non-profit organization, founded in 2001 by Jack Sim. While it has held consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2013, it operates independently of the UN system.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The main focus of the World Toilet Organization is not to grant funds to least developed or developing countries. Its primary activities involve advocacy, capacity-building, awareness campaigns, and facilitating public-private partnerships to achieve sanitation goals. It does not provide direct financial grants for ending open defecation but rather works through collaborations to implement sanitation solutions.

SOURCEThe Hindu/Indian Express/PIB/Yojana/Kurukshetra [Month Year]