World Water Day [22nd March]

World Water Day is celebrated on 22nd March each year to advocate for the preservation and management of freshwater resources. This day is officially recognized by the United Nations, which releases a World Water Development Report (WWDR) each year. The aim of World Water Day is to spread the word about the need to conserve fresh water and manage it mindfully.

Besides emphasizing the relevance of water, World Water Day is also about spreading awareness regarding the clean water crisis that the entire world is facing. Learn more about the history, significance, and theme of this day here.

World Water Day 2023

On 22nd December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly accepted a resolution that declared the day as World Water Day. The aim of this day was to promote the management and conservation of fresh water. Following this event, the first-ever Water Day was celebrated in 1993.

According to the United Nations (UN), the focus of World Water Day has recently shifted to fulfill Goal 6 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The goal aims to "Help achieve universal access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water for all by 2030."

World Water Day Theme 2023

Every year, on Water Day, a theme is designated by the United Nations to give direction to the celebrations. Although the theme for the 2023 celebrations has not been announced yet, it is expected to be shared shortly. World Water Day theme 2022 was "Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible." Find out the previous year's themes below.

Previous Year's World Water Day Themes

Every year since the conception of Water Day, a unique theme has been the designation for the celebration of the day. Here is all the previous year's World Water Day themes:

History of Water Day

The history of Water Day can be traced back to 22nd December 1992. On this day a resolution commemorating this day was initiated by the UN General Assembly. After this, in 1993, World Water Day was celebrated for the first time. Gradually, the message spread to all parts of the world, and World Water Day became a global phenomenon.

Since its conception, the World Water Day campaign has been celebrated actively, with a number of people participating. An archive of all the previous year's celebrations exists in digital form on the official water day website.

Significance of World Water Day

Freshwater plays an important role in socio-economic development. It is needed for safeguarding human health and livelihoods. Fresh water also has a very complex value in terms of nutrition, health, culture, education, economy, and the integrity of the natural environment. Overlooking any of these values runs the risk of mismanaging this finite and irreplaceable resource.

To ensure that people are using and managing freshwater resources mindfully, World Water Day is celebrated on an annual basis. Here is why celebrating this day is important:

• 71% of the earth's surface is covered with water, but only 2.5% is fresh and consumable for humans.
• The natural recycling process keeps the amount of fresh water on the planet almost constant, but the explosive growth of the population is intensifying demand and competition.
• Believe it or not, water scarcity is a reality.
• Our inefficiencies in the sustainable use of water can cost future generations significantly.
• It is predicted that in the coming decades, many parts of the world will lose access to fresh water.

How is Water Day Celebrated?

• In the last few years, COVID-19 shifted the celebrations of World Water Day to virtual platforms.
• The United Nations Water Development Report is published to virtually celebrate and advocate policy directions for different countries to address the water crisis.
• The United Nations also uses social media to emphasize the significance of the day and to enlighten people across the globe about the relevance of saving water for future generations.
• The celebrations aim to encourage people to participate in digital conversations about the paramount significance of water.
• People share their knowledge and encourage each other to conserve fresh water on World Water Day.

World Water Day in India

In India, there is a lack of access to clean water, which is a constant challenge that the country has been grappling with for several years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to start the Ken-Betwa Link project in order to launch the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' campaign. The project is India's first river link project aimed at transporting water from surplus areas to arid areas by connecting rivers.

FAQs On World Water Day

Q1. When is World Water Day celebrated?

World Water Day is celebrated on 22nd March each year. This day is celebrated to promote the conservation and sustainable management of freshwater resources. Water Day was first celebrated in 1993 after the United Nations officiated the day in the previous year.

Q2. What is the theme of World Water Day 2022?

World Water Day 2022 theme was "Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible." This theme emphasizes the importance of groundwater, which is the most accessible freshwater resource to many people. Each year, a new theme is chosen for Water Day.

Q3. Why is World Water Day celebrated?

World Water Day is celebrated because there is a need to conserve and manage the world's freshwater resources mindfully. Water Day is a day when everyone comes together to raise awareness about this issue and encourage everyone to conserve water.

Q4. Who established World Water Day?

The United Nations established Water Day. The idea for World Water Day dates back to 1992 when the United Nations Conference on Environmental Development was held in Rio de Janeiro. That same year, the General Assembly passed a resolution designating 22nd March as World Water Day.