“Water, water everywhere, only if we share” – World Water Day 2013
22nd March 2013, All over the world
“Water, water everywhere, only if we share” is the slogan chosen from over 12,000 slogans submitted as part of a world-wide competition for the International World Water Day 2013, held annually on 22 March since 1993.
World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater every year and as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2013 as the UN International Year of Water Cooperation, 22 March 2013, will be dedicated to the theme of “Water Cooperation”.
The International Year of Water Cooperation and World Water Day 2013 aims to raise awareness on both the potential and challenges for water cooperation and to promote innovative solutions for developing water cooperation.
Celebrations for the World Water Day are expected all over the world on the theme of water cooperation, including a main event taking place in the Hague, The Netherlands, hosted by the Dutch Government and coordinated by UNESCO and UNECE with the support of UN-Water Members and Partners. High-level representatives of the United Nations, civil society organisations, government and business will be gathered in the meeting to highlight and discuss the value of water cooperation for peace and sustainable development.
When more than 780 million people still do not have access to improved water and two and a half billion people have no access to improved sanitation services we cannot pretend the problem is ‘elsewhere’. The promotion of opportunities for cooperation in water management among all stakeholders and getting better understanding of the challenges and profits of water cooperation can help build mutual respect, understanding and trust among countries and promote peace, security and sustainable economic growth.
Water and the European Green Capital Award
Water consumption is one of the twelve environmental indicators used to assess applications by cities applying to become the European Green Capital. Efficient, effective water management is fundamental to a Green city. The 2013 European Green Capital Nantes achieved good scores from the experts as water consumption in the city has decreased steadily through a targeted water pricing policy as well as awareness campaigns. The city also has action plans for the detection of leaks and for upgrading the water supply network and water metering. It benefits from an ample water supply from the River Loire, and so it has focused efforts on improving quality and expanding water protection zones to supply drinking water.
For more information on what Nantes is doing as the 2013 European Green Capital click here.
For more information about the European Green Capital Award click here: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/index_en.html