In a changing world, one thing is constant: we’ll always need the toilet. No matter what lies ahead, we will always rely on sanitation to protect us from diseases and keep our environment clean.
The theme of World Toilet Day 2025 is ‘Sanitation in a changing world’. All images supplied by United Nations Water
The theme of World Toilet Day 2025, on 19 November, is ‘Sanitation in a changing world’, and will focus on the urgent need to invest in ‘future-ready’ systems and services.
Today, billions of people still live without a safe toilet – with the poorest, especially women and girls, worst affected.
As time goes by, the pressure on sanitation is only increasing. Across the world, ageing infrastructure is failing. Investment hasn’t kept pace with demand. And climate change is reshaping our world – with glaciers melting, weather worsening, and sea levels rising.
The World Toilet Day 2025 campaign calls for toilets that are:
- Accessible to all.
- Resilient to floods, droughts and other climate shocks.
- Minimise greenhouse gas emissions.
- Supported by strong systems and sustained investment.
Access to sanitation is a human right – fundamental to a healthy, dignified, productive life. If every person had access to a safe, resilient toilet, we could save thousands of lives every year and build the foundations for a more peaceful and prosperous world.
We need toilets for everyone, everywhere.
No matter how the world alters, some things will never change – our need for toilets is one of them.
Key messages you should know on World Toilet Day 2025
- We’ll always need the toilet. No matter what lies ahead, we will always rely on sanitation to protect us from diseases and keep our environment clean.
- Toilets are under pressure. Rising demand, climate change, ageing infrastructure and low investment all threaten our human right to sanitation.
- We need toilets fit for the future. We must urgently invest in ‘future-ready’ sanitation – resilient to climate change and accessible to everyone, everywhere, always.
Find out more on the UN-Water website and download campaign resources from the World Toilet Day 2025 Trello board.
Learn more, download shareable resources and take action here.
Source: United Nations Water
