History of world water day

and themes By

Mr Allah Dad Khan

History O 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.

O 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 production and dissemination 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

1994 Caring For Water O Caring for our waterO Interesting facts about waterO Water pollution sourcesO Managing water qualityO The department's roleO Your roleO More informationO Water is a scarce and essential

natural resource.O Conserving and maintaining water

quality is especially important in Australia, the world's driest inhabited continent.

O Preventing or reducing water pollution protects our water quality and is essential to maintaining the health of our environment and our own quality of life.

1995 WOMEN AND WATERO For the first time Lesotho

celebrated the "World Day for Water", on March 22, 1995. The international theme for the day was 'Women and Water'. The Department of Water Affairs organized two main activities for the celebration of the Day: on water pollution and on environmental degradation.

1996 WATER FOR THIRSTY CITIES

O The 3rd annual World Water Day was celebrated on March 22, 1996, with the theme, Water for Thirsty Cities. It emphasized the growing water crisis faced by cities across the world which threatens the sustainability of their social and economic development.

1997 THE WORLD'S WATER - IS THERE ENOUGH?

O The message of the day was: Water is a basic requirement for all life, yet water resources are facing more and more demands from, and competition among, users.

1998 GROUNDWATER - THE INVISIBLE RESOURCE

O The sixth annual World Water Day (WWD) was celebrated on 22 March 1998. As per the recommendations of the 17th meeting of the ACC Sub-Committee on Water Resources, UNICEF and the United Nations Division of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), took the lead in organizing the observance of World Water Day in 1998.

1999 EVERYONE LIVES DOWNSTREAM

O Excessive flooding of major rivers in the world in 1998 have resulted in thousands of deaths and caused enormous damage in China, Bangladesh, and India, where nearly half of the world population lives. They were not only the result of excessive rains, but also of interference by mankind in the river basins. These tragedies make us realize that virtually everybody in this world lives downstream. UNEP was the coordinating UN agency.

2000 WATER FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

O The availability and quality of water is increasingly under strain. Even if conditions were to remain constant for the foreseeable future, much of the world would find itself in a state of water-related crisis. To make matters worse, populations are growing most rapidly in those areas where water is already in scarce supply".

O This is how Wim Kok, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, starts his welcome words in the second announcement for the Second World Water Forum and Ministerial Conference that began in the Netherlands in the week prior to 22 March 2000. From 17–22 March 2000, hundreds of water specialists, politicians, leading experts and top officials from all across the globe convened in The Hague. The event marked the conclusion to a long series of sessions during which thousands of concerned citizens addressed the water crisis that threatens us all.

2001 WATER FOR HEALTH - TAKING CHARGE

O Water for Health - Taking Charge was the theme for 2001. The WHO was the coordinating UN agency.The message for the day was: "Concrete efforts are necessary to provide clean drinking water and improve health as well as to increase awareness world-wide of the problems and of the solutions. 22 March is a unique occasion to remind everybody that solutions are possible. Use the resources on this site to help turn words into political commitment and action."

2002 WATER FOR DEVELOPMENT

O Water for Development was the theme for 2002. The Internation Atomic Energy Agency was the coordinating UN agency. The currectly poor and deteriorating state of water resources in many parts of the world demand integrated water resources planning and management.

2003 WATER FOR THE FUTURE

O Water for the Future was the theme for World Water Day 2003. It called on each one of us to maintain and improve the quality and quantity of fresh water available to future generations. This is essential if we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goal to halve, by 2015, the number of people living without safe drinking water and basic sanitation. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was the the lead UN agency for World Water Day 2003. The goal was to inspire political and community action and encourage greater global understanding of the need for more responsible water use and conservation.

2004 WATER AND DISASTER

O The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and the World Meteorological Organization were charged with co-ordinating events for World Water Day 2004. The message of the Day was: Weather, climate and water resources can have a devastating impact on socio-economic development and on the well-being of humankind. According to the World Meteorological Organization weather and climate-related extreme events, such as tornadoes, thunderstorms, storms, cyclones, floods and drought, account for nearly 75 per cent of all disasters. They lead to an enormous toll of human suffering, loss of life and economic damage. Monitoring these events, predicting their movements and issuing timely warnings are essential to mitigate the disastrous impact of such events on population and economy.

2005 WATER FOR LIFE 2005-2015

O The Theme of World Water Day 2005 was: Water for Life 2005 - 2015. The United Nations General Assembly at its 58th session in December 2003 agreed to proclaim the years 2005 to 2015 as the International Decade for Action, "Water for Life", and beginning with World Water Day, March 22, 2005. The Water for Life decade set the world's goals on "a greater focus on water-related issues, while striving to ensure the participation of women in water-related development efforts, and further cooperation at all levels to achieve water-related goals of the Millennium Declaration, Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit for Sustainable Development and Agenda 21."

2006 WATER AND CULTURE

O The Theme of World Water Day 2006 was Water and Culture under the leadership of UNESCO. The theme 'Water and Culture' of 2006 drew the attention to the fact that there are as many ways of viewing, using, and celebrating water as there are cultural traditions across the world. Sacred, water is at the heart of many religions and is used in different rites and ceremonies. Fascinating and ephemeral, water has been represented in art for centuries - in music, painting, writing, cinema - and it is an essential factor in many scientific endeavours as well.

2007 WATER SCARCITY

O The growing problem of Water Scarcity was the topic for World Water Day 2007. The theme highlighted the increasing significance of water scarcity worldwide and the need for increased integration and cooperation to ensure sustainable, efficient and equitable management of scarce water resources, both at international and local levels. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted ceremonies for the daywhich included and opening address from FAO Secretary-General Jaques Diouf, and video addresses from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Green Cross International President Michail Gorbachëv.

2008 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SANITATION

O In 2008, World Water Day coincided with the International Year of Sanitation, and challenged us to spur action on a crisis affecting more than one out of three people on the planet.

O Every 20 seconds, a child dies as a result of the abysmal sanitation conditions endured by some 2.6 billion people globally. That adds up to an unconscionable 1.5 million young lives cut short by a cause we know well how to prevent. Ceremonies for the day took place at Geneva, Switzerland. Speakers included Royal Highness Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange and Director-General of WHO Dr Margaret Chan

2009 TRANSBOUNDARY WATERS

O In 2009, the theme for World Water Day was "Shared Water - Shared Opportunities". Special focus was placed on transboundary waters. Nurturing the opportunities for cooperation in transboundary water management can help build mutual respect, understanding and trust among countries and promote peace, security and sustainable economic growth. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lead the activities of the day with the support of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

2010 WATER QUALITYO UN-Water dedicated World Water

Day 2010 to the theme of water quality, reflecting its importance alongside quantity of the resource in water management.

O The World Water Day 2010 campaign was envisaged to raise awareness about sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being through addressing the increasing water quality challenges in water management and to raise the profile of water quality by encouraging governments, organizations, communities, and individuals around the world to actively engage in proactively addressing water quality e.g. in pollution prevention, clean up and restoration.

2011 WATER FOR CITIES

O The objective of World Water Day 2011 was to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.

O The theme, Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge, aimed to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to actively engage in addressing the challenges of urban water management.

O The offical website attracted a new high of over half a million visits in the month of March, and saw over 800 events added to the 'Worldwide Events' map. The offical logo was also produced in over 40 languages.

2012 WATER AND FOOD SECURITY

O International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. Coming soon in this section of the website, we will present a brief overview of the different themes that have been the focus of World Water Day celebrations.

2013 WATER COOPERATION

O In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation. In reflection of this declaration, the 2013 World Water Day, which will take place on 22 March 2013, also will be dedicated to water cooperation. Therefore, UN-Water has called upon UNESCO to lead the 2013 United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation, in particular because of the Organization’s unique multidisciplinary approach which blends the natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication. Given the intrinsic nature of water as a transversal and universal element, the United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation naturally would embrace and touch upon all these aspects.

2014 WATER AND ENERGY

O Water and energy are closely interlinked and interdependent. Energy generation and transmission requires utilization of water resources, particularly for hydroelectric, nuclear, and thermal energy sources. Conversely, about 8% of the global energy generation is used for pumping, treating and transporting water to various consumers.

O In 2014, the UN System – working closely with its Member States and other relevant stakeholders – is collectively bringing its attention to the water-energy nexus, particularly addressing inequities, especially for the 'bottom billion' who live in slums and impoverished rural areas and survive without access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, sufficient food and energy services. It also aims to facilitate the development of policies and crosscutting frameworks that bridge ministries and sectors, leading the way to energy security and sustainable water use in a green economy. Particular attention will be paid to identifying best practices that can make a water- and energy-efficient 'Green Industry' a reality.

2015 WATER AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

O 2015 is a seminal year with the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda. Given water’s essential role for development, the focus of the 2015 World Water Day is on ‘Water and Sustainable Development’ with UNDP as the lead coordinator.

O “Water is at the core of sustainable development” is a key quote in UN-Water’s ‘Strategy to 2020’. Yet few fully understand what sustainable development means – and if they have a definition, it likely differs from another person’s. This is why World Water Day: The 2015 Campaign will tell the sustainability story around water. It aims to raise awareness and inspire global action. For this to happen, there needs to be strong learning component as sustainability means weaving water into a wide range of issues, from WASH to energy, from food to industry

2016: Water for people, Water by people

O Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. Under the theme ‘Water and Jobs’, the year 2016 provides an important opportunity to consolidate and build upon the previous World Water Days to highlight the two-way relationship between water and the decent work agenda in the quest for sustainable development.

O O UN-Water supports the World Water Day

campaign and sets the theme each year. At the World Water Week 2014, UN-Water presents the plan for the World Water Day 2016 campaign, which is coordinated by ILO with the support of other UN-Water Members and Partners.

O O Participants will get an opportunity to learn

more about the theme of World Water Day, get the latest update on how the international community perceives the role of decent work in promoting the human right to water and will be invited to get involved in the campaign. In addition, participants will also discover the logo of the World Water Day 2016.

WORLD WATER DAY2017 "Wastewater

O World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

O An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

O Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. In 2015, World Water Day has the theme "Water and Sustainable Development".

O In 2016, the theme is "Water and Jobs," in " and in 2018 "Nature-based Solutions for Water".

The 2017 Theme for World Water Day is ‘Wastewater’

O The 2017 theme for World Water Day is ‘Wastewater’. The Bio-Microbics team created a video of people saying “Better Water. Better World.®” in several languages.

O WORLD WATER DAY, held annually on March 22nd, focuses attention on the importance of freshwater sources and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources. In 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), it was decided that an international day to celebrate "water" was recommended. The United Nations General Assembly designated the first World Water Day on March 22nd, 1993.

LACK OF FILTRATION

O Nearly 3.4 million people die each year from preventable waterborne illnesses. That’s almost the entire population of Los Angeles, CA dies every year.

O This number can directly be attributed to lack of filtration of contaminated water and lack of sanitation and hygiene training. The majority of these illnesses are caused from fecal contamination. Biosand Filters, Sawyer Filters and other methods can filter out over 99% of all contaminates. Filters allow us to access communities out of reach of machinery or provide a community an option where a well is not an option.

O Every 21 seconds a child will perish from a preventable waterborne illness.

O Just $1 provides a person clean water for an entire year. Fixing the problem is easy. We just need to all decide to do it.

UNPROTECTED WATER SOURCES

O Approximately 1 in 9 people lack access to an improved water source.

O The majority of water sources in developing countries are unprotected. Families and schools typically dig holes or pits and allow for them to fill up via rain or ground water. In some areas where there is a river nearby, this becomes an option for water. All three methods are subject to ground and exterior contamination. Rivers are always contaminated from animals using the same source and people using the source as a wash area.

O O Of course, having a water source at all is

considered to be fortunate. Many communities walk miles just to fetch water. This consumes a major part of peoples’ lives in water poor areas. In fact, women spend over 200 million hours A DAY collecting water.

Why waste water? Gearing up for World Water Day 2017

O Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. Under the theme ‘Water and Wastewater’, the year 2017 provides an important opportunity to consolidate and build upon the previous World Water Days to highlight the symbiosis between water and wastewater in the quest for sustainable development.

O UN-Water coordinates the World Water Day campaign and proposes a theme for each year. At the World Water Week 2016, UN-Water will present the plan for the World Water Day 2017 campaign, which is coordinated by UNEP, UN-Habitat, WHO and UNU, with the support of other UN-Water Members and Partners.

O Participants will get an opportunity to learn more about the theme of World Water Day and how wastewater is perceived as a valuable resource in the circular economy and its safe management as an efficient investment in the health of humans and ecosystems. Participants will also get a chance to listen to ideas for the public engagement campaign and provide feedback.