WORLD WATER DAY (22/03/2018)

Origin of world water day

The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/47/193 of 22 December 1992 by which 22 March of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) contained in Chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21 . States were invited to devote the Day, as appropriate in the national context, to concrete activities such as the promotion of public awareness through the publication and diffusion of documentaries and the organization of conferences, round tables, seminars and expositions related to the conservation and development of water resources and the implementation of the recommendations of Agenda 21.

World water day 2018: Nature for water

This year’s theme – Nature for Water explores how we can use nature to overcome the water challenges of the 21st century.

Environmental damage, together with climate change, is driving the water-related crises we see around the world. Floods, drought and water pollution are all made worse by degraded vegetation, soil, rivers and lakes.

When we neglect our ecosystems, we make it harder to provide everyone with the water we need to survive and thrive.

Nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of our water challenges. We need to do so much more with ‘green’ infrastructure and harmonize it with ‘grey’ infrastructure wherever possible. Planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands will rebalance the water cycle and improve human health and livelihoods.

Previous years themes:

World water day 2017: Why waste water ?

World Water Day 2016: Water and Jobs

World Water Day 2015: Water and Sustainable Development

World Water Day 2014: Water and Energy

World Water Day 2013: Water Cooperation

World Water Day 2012: Water and Food Security

World Water Day 2011: Water for Cities:
Responding to the Urban Challenge

World Water Day 2010: Clean Water for a Healthy World

World Water Day 2009: Transboundary Waters

World Water Day 2008: Sanitation

World Water Day 2007: Coping with Water Scarcity

World Water Day 2006: Water and Culture

World Water Day 2005: Water for Life

World Water Day 2004: Water and Disasters

World Water Day 2003: Water for Future

World Water Day 2002: Water for Development

World Water Day 2001: Water for Health

World Water Day 2000: Water for the Twenty-first Century