World Water Day (22/03)

Every year on March 22, the world celebrates World Water Day or World Day of Water. The idea of holding it was first voiced at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which took place in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro.

Water — «cornerstone» of life. Water is necessary for humanity. A drop of water has power, a drop of water is necessary for everyone. Although 70% of the earth's surface is covered with water, 97.5% — is salt water. Of the remaining 2.5% fresh water, almost 68.7% — frozen water ice caps and glaciers. Only one percent of the planet's total water resources are available for human use. Today, almost half of the world's population — 3.6 billion people — do not have safe sanitation, 2 billion people do not have access to safe water, and 1.4 million people die annually due to poor water quality, sanitation and hygiene.

In the 20th century, water use increased 6 times and is more than 2 times the rate of population growth. In developed countries, up to 30% of fresh water supplies are lost due to leaks, and in some large cities losses can reach 70%.

But water is needed not only to quench thirst and help preserve life and health. Water resources are also of great importance in all areas of economic, social and human development.

The United Nations General Assembly, by adopting resolution 47/193 of 22 February 1993, declared 22 March World Water Day. In accordance with the recommendations of the UN Conference on Environment and Development, this day began to be celebrated in 1993.

States were called upon to dedicate Water Day to the implementation of UN recommendations and specific actions at the national level.

Each year, one of the United Nations agencies is designated as the focal point for World Water Day activities and is responsible for promoting the new theme under the guidance of the Administrative Committee on Coordination.

The main goals of World Water Day are:

— Promote the adoption of appropriate measures to solve the problem of supplying the population with drinking water; — Inform the public about the importance of protecting and conserving freshwater resources and water resources in general; — Involve governments, international agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector in the celebration of World Water Day.

Today's date is another opportunity to remind humanity of the extreme importance of water resources for the environment and social development (Photo: Sergey Nivens, licensed by Shutterstock.com)

In addition, every year the events held as part of the Day are dedicated to a specific topic. So, over the years, the mottos of the Day were the words: «Caring for our water resources is the business of every», «Water and women», «Is there enough water in the world?», «Gruntal waters — invisible resource», «Water resources for health», «Water resources and natural disasters», «Water resources and culture», «Solving the problem of water scarcity», «Clean water for the health of the world», «Water for cities», «Water and energy», «Water and sustainable development», «Water and employment», «Nature and water», «Leaving no one aside», «Water and climate change», «Water value», «Grunta waters — all attention to invisible resource» and others.

March 22 is a unique opportunity to remind humanity of the critical importance of water resources for the environment and social development. Practical efforts can help deepen public understanding of both problems and solutions in this area. In order to achieve positive results, words must be turned into commitments and actions within a common theme.



• Infographics – poster «March 22 — World Water Day» • Story «Healing fontanel»

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