World Water Day
By Dr. Arvind Kumar
22nd March each year is observed as World Water Day by virtue of the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 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). World Water Day 2013 is being celebrated under the theme Water Cooperation, within the framework of the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation 2013, coordinated by UNESCO on behalf of UN Water. Water is a finite resource and is essential ingredient for life and socio-economic development: we need it for food production, energy, industrial and domestic uses.
Freshwater is a vital element for human existence and all ecosystems on Earth. Water cooperation between different social groups, economic sectors, regional governments, countries, and present and future generations, is crucial not only to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of water but also to create and maintain peaceful relations between people. Currently, 783 million people globally still do not have safe water — not because it’s not there, but because they simply can’t get to it. But World Water Day is an opportunity for us to urge stronger cooperation between governments, NGOs, foundations and corporations to finally accomplish this goal. It demands sufficient political commitment, innovative partnerships, integrated approaches and greatly increased, carefully directed financial investment. Ensuring that everyone enjoys the right to sustainable water, safe toilets and hygiene education will yield huge dividends in the fight to eliminate poverty. By investing in water, we are investing in the ability of communities to help themselves.
