Water Resources in Brazil
© UNESCO/Nelson Muchagata
Student learning effective freshwater use in Brazil
The challenges in Brazil in relation to water resource management cannot be addressed separately because of the cause and effect relations existing among them like: increasing water supply and access to water vs. insufficient investment in basic sanitation.
Brazilian authorities are expecting UNESCO to provide assistance and technical support in implementing recommendations approved in forums, where UNESCO has been leading international mobilization, particularly, the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) and the Regional Ecohydrology Programme.
UNESCO’s official responsibilities in these areas lend a distinctive profile to the
sector. In this light, since 1975, UNESCO has been promoting studies within the
ambit of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and has an important technical/scientific background in water management.
It is important to remember that water is a UNESCO priority, and that all support should be given to water related initiatives, as UNESCO Brasilia Office has been doing, cooperating with Brazilian authorities in this area for several years, and all support will be given to projects.
WORLD WATER DAY
© UNESCO\Dom João
World Water Day is about focusing attention on the importance of water.
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
This year’s theme, ‘Nature for Water’, explores nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in 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 clean 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.
Freshwater Sustainability
© UNESCO/James Watt - Seapics
Safe drinking water must be garanteed for all and this resource must be wisely managed for sustainable development, in accordance to the discussions taken place during Rio+20 Conference.
Expanding safe drinking water and sanitation services would drastically cut the loss of life from water-related illnesses and free up scarce resources in developing countries. Upgrading water supply and sanitation services can also improve education, allowing more children or event adults to attend school instead of spending hours each day collecting water. It would also save millions of work days.
To address this issue will require strengthening education, training, capacity-building and awareness raising efforts on the sustainable management of freshwater resources. It will also require enhancing the knowledge base necessary for informed decision-making processes in relation to water management and consumption, and developing sustainability policies which address global risks, including those associated with water, in an integrated and coordinated manner.
