World Water Day 2024: Theme, history and significance

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 22-03-2024

World Water Day 2024: Theme, history and significance

Important Day 4 min read

'World Water Day' is observed each year on the 22nd of March. On this occasion, people are reminded of the importance of freshwater and the need for sustainable water management techniques. Because currently water shortage remains a global concern.

Theme of World Water Day 2024:

The theme of ‘World Water Day’ for this year 2024 is ‘Water for peace’.
Currently, globally, water is a topic that has become a cause of conflict in many countries.
Therefore, on a global scale, water can create peace or provoke conflict.

History of World Water Day:

In the year 1992, the Environment and Development Conference program was organized in Brazil. The issue of celebrating ‘World Water Day’ was raised in this conference. After this, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution in 1992. UNGA announced that 'World Water Day' should be celebrated every year on 22 March.
In this way, ‘World Water Day’ was celebrated for the first time in the year 1993. In 2010, the UN recognized the right to safe, clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right. Its aim is to focus people's attention on the global water crisis.

Importance of World Water Day:

The primary objective of World Water Day is to promote the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. In which a target has been set to provide water and sanitation to all by 2030.

Why is there a need for water conservation?

According to the United Nations, 1.4 million people die every year from diseases caused by lack of sanitation, hygiene and clean water. About 25% of the world's population lacks access to clean water, and almost half the global population lacks sanitary toilets. Global demand for water is projected to increase by 55% by the year 2050.
Since water is essential for everyday activities. Proper use of water plays an important role in the management of freshwater reserves. On an average a person accidentally wastes up to 45 liters of water in a day. Therefore, making a few changes in daily water usage can save a considerable amount of water for future use.
More than 3 billion people around the world depend on water to travel to other countries. Whereas, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared waters.
Public health and prosperity, food and energy systems, economic productivity, and environmental integrity all depend on a managed water cycle.