Today is World Water Day (22 March) http://worldwaterday.org/, proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 47/193 in December 1992 https://bit.ly/2Gem3A5 and first celebrated in 1993 https://bit.ly/2pwSdg3. For an historical perspective of UN action related to water, the Yearbook of the United Nations recounts the Organization’s efforts to raise public awareness and highlight the importance of freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources. A few examples include:
-- UN-Water (www.unwater.org), an interagency mechanism to coordinate the efforts of UN entities and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues, was established in 2002 https://bit.ly/2HY85zs;
-- the General Assembly declared 2003 as the International Year of Freshwater https://bit.ly/2pzkdQM and 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation https://bit.ly/2G1Tvqf;
-- the General Assembly proclaimed 2005–2015 the International Decade for Action, Water for Life https://bit.ly/2FZF1aj.
The 2018 World Water Day theme, Nature for Water, explores how nature can be used to overcome the water challenges of the 21st century. In support of the Day and the official launch of the 2018-2028 International Decade for Action, Water for Sustainable Development, the UN Chronicle published its latest issue on The Quest for Water. The issue focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water for all. The articles explore topics such as ecosystems in the global water cycle, the threat that climate change poses to water availability, and the role of gender and social inclusion in achieving the water-related goals and targets. For more information, visit https://unchronicle.un.org/.