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World Water Day 2023: Why is the Day Celebrated?

Every year on March 22, World Water Day is an annual event recognized by the United Nations (UN), which highlights the significance of clean water. The day is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices for freshwater resource management.

Updated on: 21 March, 2023 4:55 PM IST By: Shivangi Rai
World Water Day is observed on March 22 every year

International Day of Water 2023: March 22 is recognized as International Day of Water each year to increase public awareness of the value of all sorts of water and its sources. The day emphasizes how important water is for both current and future generations.

In the Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the UNGA declared the day official, and it has been observed since then. To celebrate this significant day, several activities and events take place every year in different nations. Here is all the information you need to know about World Water Day 2023.

World Water Day 2023: Date

Every year on March 22, the world celebrates World Water Day.

World Water Day 2023: Theme

The theme for the 2023 International Day of Water is "Accelerating Change". The collaborative partnership on water selects the topic for each International Day of Water highlighting the urgency of taking prompt and effective action to address the water challenges our world is facing today.

World Water Day 2023: History

The concept of this special day dedicated to water was originally introduced in Agenda 21 during the year 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro.

The United Nations General Assembly later, in December 1992, passed a resolution declaring 22 March every year as World Water Day.

The theme for World Water Day focuses on topics related to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), which is in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6.

The objective of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6 or Global Goal 6) is “clean water and sanitation for all”. World Water Day was first observed in the year 1993.

World Water Day 2023: Objectives

World Water Day is a globally recognized event whose goal is to encourage people worldwide to raise their awareness of water-related issues and take necessary actions to address them.

It emphasizes the significance of issues such as water pollution, water scarcity, poor sanitation, inadequate water supply, and the effects of climate change.

The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) is released each year around World Water Day which highlights unequal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services and emphasizes the need to assure that every person has the right to water and sanitation.

The official World Water Day website details activities, events, and volunteer opportunities with the 2023 edition focusing on stories of adapting to the effects of climate change and promotion of water efficiency.

World Water Day 2023: Significance

The significance of the World Water Day theme this year “Accelerating Change” is that it emphasizes the urgent need to address the water and sanitation crisis through immediate action.

It calls on individuals, schools, families, and communities worldwide to make a difference by changing the way water is used, used, and managed in their daily lives.

The theme highlights the need for people to recognize their responsibility toward sustainable water management and take concrete steps to preserve and safeguard this precious resource.

Overall, the theme emphasizes the significance of taking anticipative steps to address the water stress challenges humanity is facing today and at an accelerating pace.

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