On this year’s World Water Day, we remember the importance water has in our lives and ecosystems. With water scarcity and climate change becoming increasingly pressing issues worldwide, this year’s theme, “Water for Peace,” guides us to reflect on the importance water has to our lives and also on creating peace or sparking conflict.
In today’s article, celebrating World Water Day, we explain more about this important day and what you can do to help and get involved in the topic.
What is World Water Day?
Held on March 22 every year since 1993, the day is an annual observance of the United Nations that focuses on the importance and sustainable management of freshwater. The day’s focus is on taking action to tackle the global water crisis, and it supports the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and Sanitation for All by 2030.
How is it Observed?
In the days leading up to March 22, organisations and people will lead global public campaigns, with events promoting the year’s theme through advocacy campaigns, communications, and sharing information about the water crisis through different media.
On World Water Day, the UN releases the UN World Water Development Report, which has the year’s theme in focus. The report focuses on a different theme each year and gives policy recommendations by offering decision-makers best practices and in-depth analysis.
2024’s Theme: Leveraging Water for Peace
Water is essential to our lives and can create peace or spark conflict. Due to the increasing impacts of climate change and population growth, it is now more crucial than ever to unite people around the globe to protect and conserve our planet’s most precious resource.
More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. However, only 24 countries have agreements for all their shared water. When water is scarce or polluted, or people have unequal access, tensions between communities and nations can arise.
This year’s World Water Day theme, “Water for Peace,” aims to create a positive ripple effect. The idea is that when we cooperate on water, we foster harmony and generate prosperity while building resilience for shared challenges. Water is a resource that must be shared; it is an intrinsic human right for all.
On this World Water Day, find out more here about the connection between water and peace.
Key Facts
- 2.2 billion still live without safely managed drinking water, including 115 million people who drink surface water.
- Only 0.5% of the water on Earth is useable and available freshwater – and climate change is dangerously affecting that supply. Over the past twenty years, terrestrial water storage – including soil moisture, snow and ice – has dropped at a rate of 1 cm per year, with significant ramifications for water security.
- Water-related disasters have dominated the list of disasters over the past 50 years and account for 70 per cent of all deaths related to natural disasters.
What Can You Do?
Educate yourself on the topic.
Explore all the content the UN has to offer on this year’s theme of World Water Day. Read about the connection between water and peace and inspirational stories from around the world. Learn more about SDG 6 in your region, check your country’s water and sanitation issues, and learn how to help from your local government and organisations.
Speak up and share
Talk to the people around you about World Water Day and this year’s topic. Share on your social media posts and generate discussions on this vital day using #WorldWaterDay to raise awareness.
Act
Organise a talk in your company, school, university, organisation or community to spark a debate on water for peace and its importance.
Plan a river, beach, water stream or lake clean-up with your community, school or company.
Investigate and make changes to your water usage.
Where to find more resources?
World Water Day 2024 Water for Peace: Official Website
World Water Day 2024 Water for Peace: Fact Sheet
UN World Water Development Report 2024
World Water Day: Archive of Resources and Themes
UN-Water: Facts on Water and Peace
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