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The Virchow Foundation joins the global community in raising awareness for the importance of fresh water and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources
Since 1993, World Water Day is annually commemorated on March 22, serving as an important platform for addressing water-related challenges. The access to clean water is a fundamental human right which influences health, food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
To ensure the availability of water and sanitation for all is on the global agenda, Sustainable Development Goal 6 (“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”) is specifically addressing this human right. By 2030, Member States and UN partners must ensure to ‘deliver as one’ to reach this target with its indicators.
However, the SDGs Report 2022 suggests that safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene are still out of reach for billions of people. Collective progress needs to be accelerated, especially with climate change affecting the global water cycle and aggravating competition for an increasingly limited water supply of freshwater resources. Raising attention to the importance of water in the context of climate change and beyond is essential.
This year’s World Water Day is held under the theme “Water for Peace” and is led jointly by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) on behalf of UN-Water, showcasing that water is a catalyst for cooperative climate action and peace. Learn more about the history of World Water Day at UN-Water.
On this occasion, the United Nations World Water Development Report, a flagship report of the United Nation’s on water, is launched. The comprehensive report offers an authoritative assessment of the “overall state, use and management of the world’s freshwater resources and aims to provide decision-makers with tools to formulate and implement water policies” (2). Follow the hybrid meeting on March 22, 2024 at 14:00 – 14:30 CET via this link.
Sources
UNESCO | Celebration of World Water Day 2024 in LAC “Water for Peace”
UNESCO | Launch of the 2024 UN World Water Development Report: Water for Prosperity and Peace
UNESCO | United Nations World Water Development Report
