World Water Day
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. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis, in support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
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. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis, in support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
A new World Water Development Report is released each year on or near World Water Day, to provide decision-makers with tools to formulate and implement sustainable water policies. This report is coordinated by UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) on behalf of UN-Water. The annual theme for World Water Day is aligned with the focus of the report. UNESCO also contributes to the observance of the Day through its Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), which works all year long to build the scientific knowledge base to help countries manage their water resources in a sustainable way.
A new World Water Development Report is released each year on or near World Water Day, to provide decision-makers with tools to formulate and implement sustainable water policies. This report is coordinated by UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) on behalf of UN-Water.
The annual theme for World Water Day is aligned with the focus of the report. UNESCO also contributes to the observance of the Day through its Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), which works all year long to build the scientific knowledge base to help countries manage their water resources in a sustainable way.
Key messages
UN World Water Development Report
The 2023 United Nations World Water Development Report (UN WWDR) shows how building partnerships and enhancing cooperation across all dimensions of sustainable development are essential to accelerate progress towards water goals and targets, and human rights to water and sanitation.
Partnerships and cooperation take place in almost any water-related endeavor. There is a long history of partnerships in water resources management, with both good and bad experiences. This report reviews these experiences, an highlights how enhancing positive and meaningful cooperation amongst the water, sanitation and broader ‘development’ communities is required to accelerate progress.
It will be launched at the UN 2023 Water Conference, in New York, on 22 March 2023.
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. 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.