Suwon Mayor Yum Tae-young Elected to Third Term as Chair of World Toilet Association

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Mayor Yum Tae-young has been elected as the 5th chair of the World Toilet Association (WTA). His term will last four years.

With this, Mayor Yum has earned the honor of serving as chair for a third term, following his tenure as 3rd chair in 2014 and 4th chair in 2017.

Elected as chair at the ‘5th General Assembly and 11th Regular Board Meeting of the World Toilet Association’ held in non-face-to-face format on the 10th, Mayor Yum Tae-young stated, “I hope that public toilets will be free from the gap between rich and poor,” and added, “The WTA will play its role so that all people can experience equality within the confines of a toilet stall.”

In his opening remarks at the 5th General Assembly and 11th Regular Board Meeting that day, Mayor Yum Tae-young said, “A clean toilet is a starting point that can change ‘personal hygiene,’ transform ‘human life,’ and ultimately change ‘the world,’” and urged, “Let us faithfully fulfill our role until all people around the world can use sanitary toilets.”

He continued, “During the tenure of the 4th executive board that was launched in February 2018, we achieved notable results,” and explained, “We established public toilets in 11 locations across seven countries including Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.”

He further stated, “I believe our activities will serve as a source of solutions to fundamental difficulties facing humanity and pave the way for a sustainable future,” and said, “Just as we have done so far, I hope you will continue to join us with the unwavering belief that ‘we can change humanity’s future through toilets.’”

The World Toilet Association (WTA) was founded in 2007 following a proposal by former Suwon Mayor Shim Jae-deok (1939–2009). At the 6th World Toilet Representatives Conference held in 2006, former Mayor Shim first proposed the establishment of the ‘World Toilet Association,’ and the WTA’s founding general assembly was held in Seoul in November of the following year.

Beginning with supporting the construction of public toilets in 12 locations across nine countries in Africa and Asia—Ghana, Kenya, Laos, Mongolia, and Cambodia—in 2008–2009, the WTA has constructed 43 public toilets in 18 developing countries as of this year (including two currently under construction in Zambia).

The WTA was recognized for its expertise in the sanitation field related to public health and hygiene, and acquired ‘Special Consultative Status’ from the ‘United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)’ in July 2019.

The UN Economic and Social Council grants consultative status to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) with particular competencies in order to strengthen cooperation with global civil society. The ‘Special Consultative Status’ acquired by the WTA is granted to NGOs with expertise in fields of activity of the UN Economic and Social Council, including public health, sanitation, and human rights.