World Water Day Being Observed Today Across the World

• World Water Day Being Observed Today Across the World
• Water ‘Vital to Human Survival, Economic Development, Prosperity of Every Nation’, Says UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in his message for observance of World Water Day

Islamabad; World Water Day is being observed today (March 22) across Pakistan to highlight the importance of water and inspire efforts to save water sources as water scarcity poses massive challenge to humanity amid the Climate Change.

The purpose of the World Water Day to bring attention to the global water crisis and the need to sustainably manage freshwater resources.

For the year 2023, World Water Day is focused on “accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis”.

“On this World Day, UNESCO would like to recall the extent to which water, whose cycle is global, is permanently at odds with human boundaries. It is up to us to draw the necessary conclusions and to see it as what it is: a vital and common good of humanity, which must therefore be considered on the scale of humanity,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.

The idea to mark World Water Day was first proposed in 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, and declared that day of March 22 every year be celebrated as World Day for Water.

For the first time, World Water Day was first marked in 1993.

Background

World Water Day is a time for citizens of world to value water and contribute towards its conservation.

According to the United Nations, dysfunction throughout the water cycle hinders progress on various global issues such as health, hunger, gender equality, jobs, education, industry, and peace. The sustainable development goal (SDG) six is to ensure universal access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030.

The research findings on water suggests that governments will have to work four times faster to meet SDG 6.

Today, billions of people, businesses, farms, factories, healthcare centres still don’t have access to safe water and toilets. World Water Day aims to bring this global issue to the fore and mobilise people to help solve itmanity,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.

Pakistan Faces Water Scarcity

Scientists and policy makers have warned that Pakistan may face an alarming water scarcity in the next two to three years if effective measures are not taken now to tackle depleting resources. Experts believe water crisis have posed a serious threat to the country’s development and economic growth.

The Global Risks Report 2023 states that water stress is widespread in Pakistan that particularly impacts women and girls responsible for water collection, with knock-on impacts on health and education outcomes.

The report also warns that a combination of extreme weather events and constrained supply could lead the current cost-of-living crisis into a catastrophic scenario of hunger and distress for millions.

There is an urgent need to put systems in place to curb water mismanagement, conserve freshwater resources, avoid contamination and poor agricultural practices as agriculture consumed more than 96 per cent of freshwater resources.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for World Water Day

‘Water is the lifeblood of our world.  From health and nutrition to education and infrastructure, water is vital to every aspect of human survival and well-being, and the economic development and prosperity of every nation’ .

We don’t have a moment to lose.  Let’s make 2023 a year of transformation and investment for humanity’s lifeblood.  Let’s take action to protect, sustainably manage and ensure equitable access to water for all.

By; M.A

Email; VOW2025@Gmail.com