UN declares November 19 as 'World Toilet Day'

The United Nations recognized November 19 as 'World Toilet Day' on Wednesday, following a proposal by a Singapore envoy, who insisted that he did not care if jokes are made on the issue.

Before a unanimous UN General Assembly voted in favor of the measure, Mark Neo, the country's charge d'affaires, said that he is sure there will be laughter among the press and the public when it is reported that the UN is declaring a World Toilet Day, the New York Daily News reported.

Neo told the 193-member assembly that media and public's laughter is welcome, especially if they recognize the prevailing and unhealthy taboo that prevents an open and serious discussion of the problems of sanitation and toilets globally.

Later on, Neo stressed that 2.5 billion people around the world do not have proper sanitation and 1.1 billion people defecate in the open.

The envoy added that providing toilets could save the lives of more than 200,000 children each year.