World Water Day

World Water Day is observed on 22 March to focus attention on freshwater and the challenge of ensuring safe water and sanitation for everyone. The idea emerged from the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. Later that year, the UN General Assembly designated 22 March as World Day for Water, with the first observance held in 1993. Each year a theme explores a different part of the water challenge, including drinking-water access, sanitation, groundwater, ecosystems, climate change, wastewater and cooperation over shared resources. The day reflects a simple but far-reaching reality: water connects health, food production, energy, education, gender equality, livelihoods and environmental stability. Activities include school programmes, scientific and policy discussions, community conservation work and public campaigns. UN-Water coordinates the international observance and uses it to support progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation.

World Water Day is intended to build public awareness and encourage attention to its associated global issue.