World Water Day: Water Cooperation
In 2013, in celebration of the International Year of Water Cooperation, World Water Day is also dedicated to the theme of cooperation around water. Cooperation is essential to strike a balance between the different needs and priorities and share this precious resource equitably. Since water cuts across all sectors, stakeholders that are not traditionally considered to be water managers must participate. Water cooperation between different social groups, economic sectors, regional governments, countries, and present and future generations, is crucial not only to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of water but also to create and maintain peaceful relations between people.
The official celebrations of World Water Day will be hosted by the Kingdom of The Netherlands in The Hague. Within the limit of capacity constraints, as wide a variety of key stakeholders as possible, from inside and outside the ‘water box’, have been invited.
Launch of the International Year of Water Cooperation 2013
Freshwater is the common denominator of today’s most pressing challenges, such as health, agriculture, energy, and urbanization. But this limited, finite resource is often poorly managed and faces severe pressure everywhere. How can the world work more closely together to overcome these present challenges, and ensure that access to freshwater, a human right, is available to all? To advance this most vital cause, UN-Water has designated UNESCO to lead United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation (IYWC) in 2013. The lauching ceremony took place on 11 February 2013 at UNESCO Headquarters, in Paris.
World Water Day 2013: Water Cooperation
Celebrations for World Water Day on 22 March 2013 will take place around the world on the theme of water cooperation. UNESCO will lead the coordination of the activities and will encourage stakeholders at international, regional, national and local levels to take action on the topic so as to create a momentum that goes beyond the Year itself.
20th session of the IHP Intergovernmental Council
The Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO held its 20th session from 4 to 7 June 2012 at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris.
During this session, the Council examined the relevant outcomes of the 36th session of UNESCO’s General Conference, including the Organization’s Programme and Budget for 2012-2013 (36 C/5), particularly as these relate to the implementation of the Seventh Phase of IHP (IHP-VII, 2008-2013).
The Council also looked into recent institutional developments in IHP, reviewed progress on the implementation of the resolutions and other decisions adopted by the 19th session of the IHP Council (Paris, July 2010), examined the status of UNESCO’s water-related category 1 institute and category 2 centres under its auspices, and reported on the formulation of the Eighth Phase of IHP (IHP-VIII, 2014 – 2021), including the endorsement of its Strategic Plan.
Groundwater Governance Project
Montevideo is ready to host the first Regional Consultation
The first Regional Consultation of the Groundwater Governance Project, which involves the Latin America and Caribbean region, will be held in Montevideo from 18 to 20 April 2012.
Increasing demand and climate change threatening world water resources says new UN World Water Development Report
“Freshwater is not being used sustainably, according to needs and demands, states Irina Bokova in the Report’s Foreword. “Accurate information remains disparate, and management is fragmented. In this context, the future is increasingly uncertain and risks are set to deepen.”
H2Ooooh! initiative
Gruppo Alcuni/UNESCO
An estimated 884 million people worldwide do not have access to safe water. Almost 1.5 million children die every year from water-borne diseases.
Population growth and increasing urbanization, chemical pollution and invasive species are the main factors contributing to the deterioration of water quality. The consequences for the environment and for mankind are considerable.
In the frame of H2Ooooh! initiative, Gruppo Alcuni in collaboration with UNESCO and RAI Fiction has developed this 3-D animated television series with the six Pet Pals as protagonists focusing on the issue of water protection.
