World Water Day 2024 - “Role of Water in Fostering Stability and Prosperity within Our Country”
BY PUBLICITY DIVISION (IESL)
The campaign for World Water Day 2024, themed 'Water for Peace', underscores the crucial role of water in fostering global stability and prosperity. Addressing issues such as sectoral needs, scarcity, pollution, and unequal access, the campaign emphasizes the potential of water to promote national harmony. With the focus on this theme by Water Forum IESL, offers a unique perspective, benefiting from the absence of traditional border disputes over water. Sri Lanka serves as an example of the importance of internal harmony and cooperation in managing water resources, especially amidst challenges posed by climate change and population growth. By promoting collaboration and inclusivity, the campaign advocates for water as a fundamental human right and a catalyst for sustainable development, urging collective action towards a more peaceful and prosperous future.
The World Water Day 2024 was cerebrated at IESL on 20th March 2024. The Keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Hilmy Sally, an independent irrigation and water resources management professional. The panel discussion was consisted of Eng. (Dr.) Herath Mathrithilake, Eng. B A S S Perera and Eng. (Dr.) Missaka Hettirachchi. The event was attended by more than 50 physically and around 70 participated virtually.
Background of World Water Day
Why do we need to take action on water?
Access to water is a human right. Yet, 2.2 billion live without safely managed drinking water services, with devastating impacts for their lives and wider society.
A well managed water cycle underpins progress across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in relation to hunger, gender equity, health, education, livelihoods, sustainability and ecosystems.
Water is also at the heart of adaptation to climate change, serving as the crucial link between the climate system, human society and the environment.
Without proper water governance, there is likely to be increased competition for water between sectors and an escalation of water crises of various kinds, triggering emergencies in a range of water-dependent sectors.
What is World Water Day?
World Water Day celebrates water and inspires action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance – held on 22 March – focusing on the importance of freshwater, coordinated by UN-Water and led by one or more UN-Water Members and Partners with a related mandate.
What happens on World Water Day?
In the lead-up to 22 March, people and organizations participate in the global public campaign, hosting World Water Day events and promoting the theme through communications, advocacy and social media.
On the day itself, the UN World Water Development Report is released, focusing on the same topic as the campaign and recommending policy direction to decision makers.
The campaign reaches a global online audience of billions and engages thousands of people on the ground in conversation and debate, raising awareness and informing decision-making across the world.
Theme of the World Water Day 2024
Water for peace
Water can create peace or spark conflict. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal, or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries. More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water. As climate change impacts increase, and populations grow, there is an urgent need, within and between countries, to unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource. Public health and prosperity, food and energy systems, economic productivity and environmental integrity all rely on a well-functioning and equitably managed water cycle.
Creating a positive ripple effect
The theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’. When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges. We must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life. This World Water Day, we all need to unite around water and use water for peace, laying the foundations of a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.