Water and energy have crucial impacts on poverty alleviation, as a number of the Millennium Development Goals depend on major improvements in access to water, sanitation, power and energy sources. The two resources are closely interconnected and interdependent.

The 2014 World Water Development Report describes the various ways in which water and energy relate to each other. For example, energy is needed for the collection, transportation and treatment of water. At the same time, water is required in the production and extraction of fossil fuels.

The report, which was recently released by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UN Water, reveals that 768 million people do not have access to an improved source of water, and 2.5 billion do not have access to appropriate sanitation. The communities that don’t have adequate access to water largely coincide with those with no electricity.

In his message for World Water Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “Water is at the core of sustainable development. This year’s observance of World Water Day focuses on the links between water and energy.  Both are critical for eradicating poverty.  And they interact with each other in ways that can help — or hinder — our efforts to build stable societies and lives of dignity for all.” He pointed out that the many strong links between water and energy demand coherent, integrated policies and innovative strategies.

“Water must be used — and electricity must be generated and distributed — equitably and efficiently, so all users get a fair share. These are the goals of the ongoing work of UN-Water and of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative.  These issues are also crucially important elements in our discussions on the post-2015 development agenda,” Ki-moon concluded.