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Given the importance of water to poverty alleviation, human and ecosystem
health, the management of water resources becomes of central importance.
Currently, over 1 billion people lack access to water and over 2.4-billion
lack access to basic sanitation. Access to clean water is lowest in
Africa, while Asia has the largest number of people with no access to
basic sanitation. This water crisis is largely our own making. It has
resulted not from the natural limitations of the water supply or lack
of financing and appropriate technologies, even though these are important
factors but rather from profound failures in water governance. UNDP's
response to this water crisis has been to emphasize an integrated approach
to water resource management through effective
water governance. More... What's New
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. In 2009, the theme for World Water Day is "Shared Water - Shared Opportunities", with a special focus on transboundary waters. Facilitating opportunities for cooperation in transboundary water management can help build mutual respect, understanding and trust among countries and promote peace, security and sustainable economic growth. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are the lead UN agencies for World Water Day 2009 For more information: Official Website World Water Day 2009 UNDP-GEF International Waters Portfolio Global Environment Facility – International Waters Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database (Oregon State University) International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN) UNESCO From Potential Conflict to Cooperation Potential’ (PCCP) Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA)
UNDP and Coke launch "H2O=Life" water exhibit during 2009 World Water Forum in Istanbul An outstanding exhibit on water, prepared by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.susergisi.com), has been brought to Turkey under the framework of the Every Drop Matters (www.everydropmatters.org) partnership between UNDP and The Coca-Cola Company. With a launch held as part of the events of the 5th World Water Forum, the exhibit at Istanbul Technical University, Maslak Campus, Natural History and Science Museum will be open until June 14.
UNDP and Transparency International: Ensuring universal access to water
In September 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the eight Millennium Development Goals that challenged the global community to reduce poverty and increase the health and well-being of all peoples. In September 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg reaffirmed these goals and added access to basic sanitation as a centerpiece of the poverty eradication commitments. The central objective of the International Year of Sanitation is to
put the global community on track to achieve the sanitation MDG. Sanitation
is the foundation of health, dignity, and development. Increased sanitation
access especially for poor people, is fundamental for reaching all the
Millennium Development Goals. For more information: |
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