A/HRC/15/55* D. International assistance and cooperation 44. In its National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction II, the Government of Bangladesh indicates that, while the need for international aid has decreased in recent years, it remains critical in financing infrastructural development, anti-poverty programmes, food security, disaster management and social sector programmes. The experts acknowledge that the Government faces important resource constraints when addressing the situation of a large population living in extreme poverty and ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation. In line with their international human rights obligations, in particular articles 2.1 and 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and article 4 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, they call on the international community to continue and enhance its financial and technical support for the country. 45. The experts note that the Government of Bangladesh and 15 development partners have signed a statement of intent on developing a joint cooperation strategy for Bangladesh, which commits the Government to exercizing ownership and leadership over national development strategies through broad consultative processes, and commits development partners to supporting the Government leadership and to aligning their interventions with the Government’s policies and strategies to the extent possible. The promotion of national ownership is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the important projects sponsored with international support. Nevertheless, the experts have perceived that, with multiple actors involved in these sectors, initiatives are implemented in a fragmented fashion, which weakens their impact. Predictability and enhanced coordination of international assistance are critical to improving the protection of human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights. V. The rights to sanitation and to safe drinking water21 A. Institutional, legal and policy framework for water and sanitation 46. Numerous ministries in Bangladesh have responsibilities relating to water and sanitation services. The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has overall responsibility for monitoring and governing the sector, including policy formulation. Within the Ministry, the Department of Public Health Engineering is responsible for water and sanitation services in all parts of the country, except for urban areas, which are covered by the water supply and sewerage authorities (notably in Dhaka, Khulna and Chittagong). Other ministries with competencies in the areas of water and sanitation include those of education, health and family welfare; water resources; environment and forests; finance; and the Planning Commission. 47. Non-governmental organizations play an important role in extending access to water and sanitation in Bangladesh. While the expert welcomes the role of civil society organizations, concerns were raised that, in some cases, the activities of certain organizations seem to have replaced the traditional role of the Government. Civil society organizations have accumulated a wealth of experience in innovating new approaches and reaching the most vulnerable populations, and thus must remain primary partners with the Government in addressing the issue of access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The 21 12 The present chapter was prepared by the independent expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. GE.10-15451