A/HRC/18/33 C. Relevant frameworks for planning 10. The call for strategies and plans of action regarding human rights and/or water and sanitation is not new. 11. In the area of human rights, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted on 25 June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights, highlighted the importance of national plans of action as tools for the promotion and protection of human rights.5 Apart from these generic national human rights action plans, which several States have developed, others have put into place sectoral plans addressing specific human rights concerns and aspects, such as human trafficking, racism, child rights and social inclusion. Notably, the Human Rights Council and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights have emphasized the importance of national plans of action for the realization of the rights to water and to sanitation.6 12. In the context of water and sanitation specifically, a number of planning exercises are relevant, ranging from short- to long-term planning. Here, strategies are understood to set out the general framework, often covering development more broadly and setting the tone for policy development. Such strategies are longer term and should be in place before a plan of action is developed. In turn, action plans are based on these strategies. They cover only water and/or sanitation, and are more specific, short term and action oriented, including the detailed activities to implement the overall strategy. These are often developed at the national level. 13. Since water and sanitation service provision is often the responsibility of the local authorities, planning at the local level is equally relevant. In some States, subnational or local government is further responsible for policymaking in the field of water and sanitation. In Germany, for example, federal law7 provides the general framework for water management and water and sanitation service provision, while specifics are provided for at the subnational level (the Länder).8 Within this legal framework, municipalities maintain the competence for the specific arrangements. The exact determination of what proportion of planning is to take place at the national and local levels will depend on the country’s legal and administrative system, in particular the extent of decentralization. In many cases, at a minimum, the overall strategy and framework will be set out at the national level, while the specific activities to implement this strategy will be planned locally. 14. Many countries already have a national strategy and/or plan of action specifically devoted to water and/or sanitation, although water is more often addressed than sanitation. Indeed, the Global Annual Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water found that almost one third of the reporting countries did not have a sanitation policy in place covering urban and rural areas.9 The need for sound national planning processes is reiterated by the initiative entitled “Sustainable sanitation: the five-year drive to 2015”.10 Similarly, the Sanitation and Water for All initiative, an international partnership of national Governments, donors, civil society organizations and others, emphasizes the critical role of 5 6 7 8 9 10 A/Conf.157/23, para. 71. Human Rights Council resolution 12/8, para. 4 (c) and (d); Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 15, para. 47. Gesetz zur Ordnung des Wasserhaushalts, 2009. Available from www.gesetze-iminternet.de/bundesrecht/whg_2009/gesamt.pdf. For example, Niedersächsisches Wassergesetz. Available from www.rechtniedersachsen.de/28200/nwg.htm. UN-Water and World Health Organization (WHO), UN-Water Global Annual Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS 2010) (Geneva, World Health Organization, 2010), p. 38. General Assembly resolution 65/153, para. 3. 5