Context: – World Water Day is celebrated every year on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An overview of the news

• A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
• The water day celebration started in 1993 after the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in 1992.
• According to the United Nations, currently, one in four people lack access to safe drinking water.
• About 1.4 million people die annually from diseases related to poor water and sanitation.
• According to the United Nations “Billions of people and countless schools, businesses, health centers, farms and factories do not have the safe water and toilets they need.
• The United Nations 2023 Water Conference is being held from March 22-24 in New York, United States of America.
• The theme for World Water Day 2023 is ‘Accelerating Change to Solve Water and Sanitation Crises’.
• The theme emphasizes the need to take strong action to address the global water crisis.

Background of the day

• The resolution to celebrate World Water Day was first adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 22 December 1992, after which March 22 was declared as World Water Day and is celebrated worldwide since then.
• Thefirst World Water Day was celebrated in the year 1993.

History:

• The idea for this international day goes back to 1992, the year in which the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro took place.
• That same year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by which 22nd March of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993.
• 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.

Significance:

The day’s intention is to inspire people around the world to learn more about water-related issues and to take action to make a difference.

While water covers almost 70% of the planet, freshwater only amounts to about 3% of it, out of which two-thirds is frozen or inaccessible and unavailable for use.

These observances serve to reaffirm that water and sanitation measures are key to poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.