pS-Eau has been leading specific reflection on solidarity actions for water on an international level for several years. In 2002 a session was held at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. The topic was again discussed at the 3rd World Water Forum in Kyoto in 2003 and in 2005, stakeholders from around Europe and Africa identified the need to demonstrate the impact and significance of international solidarity actions and to strengthen the role of local authorities in the South.

That these actions have a definite role to play in bringing water and sanitation to all, has also been recognised at the level of international debate on the financing of water and sanitation (see Camdessus report; Gurria Task Force report).

Therefore, it was decided to create a platform of stakeholders in international solidarity for water and sanitation. Stakeholders from around Europe and Africa came together at the 4th World Water Forum held in Mexico in 2006, where they discussed their actions during a session presided by Mr Angel Gurria (Session report and presentations). After this session, Mr Gurria presided over the official launch of the Platform for international solidarity actions for water and sanitation.