World Water Day

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Forum: World Water Day 2020; ''Natural Water Infrastructure.'' and Solutions.

Theme: Water and Climate Change.

Nature’s functions and natural solutions can help countries build climate resilience to support actions identified in national climate plans. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Events : Please note, the FAO conference in Rome has been cancelled.

Statement:

World Water Day 2020 is about water and climate change – and how the two are inextricably linked. The campaign shows how our use of water will help reduce floods, droughts, scarcity and pollution, and will help fight climate change itself. By adapting to the water effects of climate change, we will protect health and save lives. And, by using water more efficiently, we will reduce greenhouse gases.

Our key messages for this day are clear:

  • We cannot afford to wait. Climate policy makers must put water at the heart of action plans.

  • Water can help fight climate change. There are sustainable, affordable and scalable water and sanitation solutions.

  • Everyone has a role to play. In our daily lives, there are surprisingly easy steps we can all take to address climate change.

This #WorldWaterDay, let’s show our best hand hygiene moments to fight #COVID19.

Later on, other celebrations and events were added. For instance, the International Year of Cooperation in the Water Sphere 2013, and the current International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028. These observances serve to reaffirm that water and sanitation measures are key to poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

A water supply system will be sustainable only if it promotes efficiencies in both the supply and the demand sides. Initiatives to meet demand for water supply will be sustainable if they prioritize measures to avoid water waste. Avoiding wastage will contribute to reducing water consumption and, consequently, to delaying the need for new resources.

On the supply side, it is fundamental to enhance operation and maintenance capabilities of water utilities, reducing non-revenue water (NRW), leakages, and energy use, as well as improving the capacity of the workforce to understand and operate the system. It is also necessary to ensure cost-recovery through a fair tariff system and “intelligent” investment planning. In addition, all alternatives to increase the water supplymust be analysed considering the entire life cycle.

On the demand side, the adoption of water efficient technology can considerably reduce water consumption. Investments in less water intensive industrial processes and more efficient buildings lead to a more sustainable water supply. Concrete possibilities of economic savings, social benefits (such as the involvement of different sectors of society to reach a common objective, environmental awareness of the population, etc.) and a range of environmental gains make the adoption of water efficient technologies viable.

Sustainable water supply involves a sequence of combined actions and not isolated strategies. It depends on the individual’s willingness to save water, governmental regulations, changes in the building industry,industrial processes reformulation, land occupation, etc. The challenge is to create mechanisms of regulation, incentives and affordability to ensure the sustainability of the system.

PUBLICATIONS:

World Water Assessment Programme (UNESCO WWAP)

The importance of water sustainability - Global Environment Facility

Sustainability in Water Supply - International Water Association

Sustainability in the Water Sector

Frequently Asked Questions on the Water Decades:

  1. What is the purpose of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’, 2005-2015?

  2. What are the central themes for ‘Water for Life’ Decade?

  3. Who is responsible for organizing the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?

  4. Who are the UN-Water members?

  5. How did the ‘Water for Life’ Decade come about?

  6. When did the ‘Water for Life’ Decade officially commence?

  7. What is World Water Day?

  8. What special events were organized for the launch of the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?

  9. What activities are planned for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?

  10. How do the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) relate to the ‘Water for Life’ Decade, 2005-2015?

  11. Why is Gender a key issue for the ‘Water for Life’ decade?

  12. Who can participate in activities for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?

  13. Is there any Office for the implementation of the Decade?

  14. Where do I find educational materials on the Water for Life theme?

  15. How can I make a financial contribution/donation to the Decade?

  16. How can I stay up-to-date with activities planned for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?

CAMPAIGNS:

Share your Voice with us!

  1. #SafeHands on #WorldWaterDay

  2. Water for Life Voices campaign

  3. Submit your voice!

Photo Gallery:

Your #WaterForLifeVoices on Flickr