Today is World Water Day. The day is observed on the 22nd of March every year, to focus the world’s attention on the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. We have a desk report:
The theme this year is, ‘International Year of Water Co-operation’, aimed at highlighting the joint efforts necessary to ensuring a fair share for people and planet. In his message, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon said, water holds the key to sustainable development and is vital for good health, food security and economic progress.
An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993, as the first World Water Day.
The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world’s water resources. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Water Day. Since its inception in 2003, UN-Water has been responsible for selecting the theme, messages and lead UN agency for the World Day for Water.