India hosts the 18th World Toilet Summit in Mumbai

With an endeavor of providing sustainable and affordable sanitation solutions to eradicate open defecation practices in the world, World Toilet Organization (WTO), a global non-profit body, is hosting the World Toilet Summit in Mumbai, India. The World Toilet Summit has come to India for the third time with the theme 'Can the world be ODF by 2030', with LIXIL as the main summit host and RB as Swachh Bharat partners.

With the success of government-led Swachh Bharat Mission, India serves as a learning ground for the international WaSH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) community and has hosted the World Toilet Summit twice previously – in 2007 and 2015.

Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, "It gives me immense pleasure to share that now Maharashtra has become 100% open defecation free (ODF), 55% of which has been covered since 2014. I am happy to see the efforts by World Toilet Organization and their partners in taking necessary steps to achieve ODF status. I am sure with the given pace, we will make ODF India by 2019, as planned by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi."

Jack Sim, Founder, World Toilet Organization, said, "The problem of open defecation is not only restricted to India. Not only it has taken the lives of many, but it has also impacted the honor. Hence, it is important for everyone to work unanimously and contribute to achieve the 100% open defecation free.  We believe in the necessity of a comprehensive behavioral change strategy to focus on bringing the change in the mindset of people and also provide a sustainable solution for easy access. We are certain that the summit successfully conveyed a strong message to address current sanitation challenges in India and the world."