International Water Decade
On March 22 we celebrate the World Water Day, within the context of
the "International Water Decade" (Water for Life), inaugurated in
2005 by decision of the UN General Assembly. The current year is
particularly important because it will allow to take stock of the
achievements, predict the future challenges and develop the
strategy that the Countries will adopt at the conclusion of the
Decade.
Besides, another event held in Istanbul and very important for the
international community, will find a conclusion on March 22: the
5th World Water Forum, dedicated to the theme "Bridging divides for
Water", that aims at facilitating the debate on global water
resources, at convinceing the policy makers to incorporate issues
related to water into the political agenda as well as making
constructive proposals to improve the situation.
World Water Day organizers, that is UNESCO with the support of FAO
and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE),
called for deepening the theme "Shared Waters - Shared
Opportunities", with particular attention to the management of
transboundary waters, which may be a source of conflict but most of
all an occasion of cooperation between peoples. Worldwide, there
are 263 lakes and cross-border hydric basins that cover the
territories of 145 Countries and nearly half of the Earth's
surface. In the last 60 years there have been more than 300
international agreements on water resources and in only 37 cases
they have caused conflicts between States. The objective of World
Water Day is therefore raising awareness about the opportunities
for cooperation in the transboundary waters management, in order to
promote mutual respect, understanding and trust between Countries
as well as peace, security and sustainable economic growth.