Humanity needs water: Leave no one behind
World Water Day, held every year on March 22 since 1993, is a United Nations celebration highlighting the importance of freshwater.
World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people who live without access to clean water. It’s about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. One of the main aims of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Water is at the heart of sustainable development. Water resources, and the range of services they can provide, contribute to poverty reduction. But also economic growth and environmental protection. From food and energy security to human and environmental health, water contributes to improved social well-being and equitable growth. Affecting the livelihoods of billions of people.
2019 Theme – “Leave no one behind
The theme of World Water Day 2019 is “Leave no one behind“. This is an adaptation of the main promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: everyone must be able to benefit from the progress made in sustainable development.
One of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6 is to ensure universal access to water by 2030. But also sustainable management of water resources. In practical terms, this means leaving no one behind. Today, billions of people still do not have access to drinking water. At home, at school, on the farm, in the factory, etc. They struggle to survive and grow.
Marginalized groups – women, children, refugees, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and many others – are often overlooked. They are sometimes discriminated against when they try to access and manage the drinking water they need.
For further information:
World Water Day website: www.worldwaterday.org
United Nations website: www.un.org/fr/observances/water-day