World Water Day Messages:World Water Day, celebrated on March 22 every year, is an occasion to realise the importance of freshwater, especially this year amid the ongoing Bengaluru water crisis. The tech hub is facing an acute water shortage due to failed monsoons and drying groundwater resources.
Only 2.5 per cent of the Earth’s water is classified as fresh. The water crisis is a big issue in India as per the 2019 Niti Aayog report. Despite accommodating 17 per cent of the global population, India possesses only 4 per cent of the planet’s freshwater resources. World Water Day, commemorated every March 22, serves to underscore the criticality of fresh water. Below, we look at the theme of this year’s event, its history, and its significance. Additionally, implementing five straightforward steps to conserve water can significantly address this pressing issue.
World Water Day 2024
The theme for this year’s World Water Day campaign is “Water for Peace”. The scarcity of fresh water often sparks conflicts among individuals, communities, and even nations. Shockingly, only 24 out of 153 countries have established water-sharing agreements, according to the United Nations (UN). To mitigate potential conflicts and guarantee access to basic water needs across borders, water conservation is imperative. This effort aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030.
History
In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro saw the first formal proposal of World Water Day under Agenda 21. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 1992 by which March 22 was declared World Water Day.
World Water Day: History
In 1992, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, the proposal to designate an annual day for water conservation was introduced as part of the UN’s Agenda 21.
Subsequently, in December of the same year, the UN General Assembly formally accepted this proposal through its resolution A/RES/47/193, thereby establishing March 22 as World Water Day. The inaugural observation of World Water Day took place the following year, with the theme, “Caring for our Water Resources is Everybody’s Business.”
Significance
The United Nations (UN) marks this day to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. On this day, the UN’s flagship report on water and sanitation is launched every year.
Theme
The theme for this year is ‘Water for prosperity and peace’. Thus, the 2024 edition of the UN’s flagship World Water Development Report (WWDR) report will explore this theme and be released today. The theme changes every year, but the central focus remains on topics relevant to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which is in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6.