No matter who we are, where we are, and what we do, we are all dependent on water. We need it every day, in so many ways. We need it to stay healthy, we need it for growing food, for transportation, irrigation and industry. We need it for animals and plants, for changing colours and seasons. However, despite the importance of water resources in our lives and well-being, we are increasingly disrespectful of them. We abuse them. We waste them. We pollute them, forgetting how essential they are to our very survival.

2003 is a year of opportunity. It is a year for us to focus our attention on protecting and respecting our water resources, as individuals, communities, countries, and as a global family of concerned citizens. 2003 is a year for action and reflection. During this year we have a chance to mend our ways, to take stock and make a difference. By protecting our freshwater, we help to ensure our future and our planet's long-term prospects.

Join us in celebrating the International Year of Freshwater 2003. Send us your information, ideas, news, documents, images and testimonies, anything that could be shared with others around the world.

Let's make a big splash!

News

 
 International Year of Freshwater launched (10-12-2003 Unescopress)
The International Year of Freshwater, 2003, will receive its official launch at a ceremony at the United Nations in New York on December 12. The aim of the Year is to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and managing freshwater. The UN General Assembly resolution proclaiming the Year was initiated by the Government of Tajikistan and supported by 148 other countries.
 
 UNESCO designates Saudi Prince Talal as Special Envoy for Water (13-12-2003 Unescopress)
On the eve of the International Year of Freshwater, (2003), the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, is appointing HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, of Saudi Arabia, as the Organization's Special Envoy for Water. The official designation will take place at UNESCO Headquarters on December 18, during the award ceremony for this year's AGFUND International Prize for Pioneering Development Projects. Prince Talal is president of AGFUND (Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organizations), which he helped found in 1980, with the support of the Gulf States.