Date: Friday, 22 March 2024; 31st Anniversary.
Sponsor: United Nations
Objectives:
World Water Day is annually observed for the following purposes:
- To recognize the importance of water resource development and its contributions to economic productivity and social well-being.
- To raise and spread awareness of water scarcity conditions and water pollution faced by many countries or areas.
- To promote water conservation and sustainable management of freshwater resources.
Inception:
The first World Water Day was held on 22 March 1993.
History:
The idea for this international day was first formally proposed in Chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.
In December 1992, the last month of the same year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/47/193, which officially declared 22 March of each year World Water Day.
How to celebrate the World Water Day
Learn, share, and action!
Since 1993, many organizations and communities have hosted various educational and promotional events on World Water Day each year, including seminars, lectures, conferences, and social media campaigns, to raise and spread awareness of water-related issues. The day can also include campaigns to raise money for projects related to the conservation and development of water resources.
Each year, the United Nations proposes a specific theme relevant to water to raise awareness and promote innovative actions. Each year’s theme focuses mainly on topics pertinent to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, which aligns with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Annual theme in recent years:
2024 theme: “Leveraging Water for Peace.”
2023 theme: “Accelerating Change to Solve the Water and Sanitation Crisis.”
2022 theme: “Groundwater – Making the Invisible Visible.”
2021 theme: “Valuing Water”
2020 theme: “Water and Climate Change”
2019 theme: “Leaving No One Behind”
2018 theme: “Nature for Water”
2017 theme: “Why Waste Water”
2016 theme: “Better Water, Better Jobs”
2015 theme: “Water and Sustainable Development”
2014 theme: “Water and Energy”
Official websites:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day
https://www.worldwaterday.org/
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