Suwon Mayor Yum Tae-young Re-elected for 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 chairman of the World Toilet Association (WTA). His term is four years.

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

Elected chairman at the 'World Toilet Association 5th General Assembly and 11th Regular Board Meeting' held in non-face-to-face format on the 10th, Mayor Yum Tae-young said, "I hope that public restrooms will be free from the gap between the rich and the poor," and "WTA will play its role so that all people can feel equality within restroom partitions."

Opening the 5th General Assembly and 11th Regular Board Meeting on that day, Mayor Yum Tae-young stated, "A clean restroom is a starting point that can change 'personal hygiene,' change 'human life,' and ultimately change 'the world,'" and urged, "Let us faithfully fulfill our role until all people around the world can use hygienic restrooms."

He continued, "We achieved notable results during the 4th executive term that began in February 2018," and explained, "We have established public restrooms in 11 locations across 7 countries including Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar."

He further stated, "I believe that our activities will become a cornucopia that resolves fundamental human difficulties and builds a sustainable future," and said, "Just as we have done so far, I hope you will remain with us unchanged in the belief that 'we can change humanity's future through restrooms.'"

The World Toilet Association (WTA) was founded in 2007 at the proposal of late former Suwon Mayor Shim Jae-deok (1939-2009). Former Mayor Shim first proposed the establishment of the 'World Toilet Association' at the 6th World Toilet Representatives Conference held in 2006, and the following November, the WTA founding general assembly was held in Seoul.

Starting with its support for the construction of public restrooms in 12 locations across 9 countries in Africa and Asia, including Ghana, Kenya, Laos, Mongolia, and Cambodia from 2008-2009, the WTA has constructed public restrooms in 43 locations across 18 developing countries through this year (including 2 locations currently under construction in Zambia).

The WTA was recognized for its expertise in the restroom field related to health and hygiene and acquired 'special consultative status' from the 'UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)' in July 2019.

The UN Economic and Social Council grants consultative status to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) with special capacities to strengthen cooperation with NGOs worldwide. The 'special consultative status' acquired by the WTA is granted to NGOs with expertise in the active fields of the UN Economic and Social Council, including health, hygiene, and human rights.