International World Water Day is held annually to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. A recommendation of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the United Nations General Assembly responded by designating March 22, 1993 as the first World Water Day.
The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems. The 2011 theme is "Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge," and aims to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities and individuals to actively engage in addressing the defy of urban water management.
The main World Water Day 2011 is to be hosted today in Cape Town by the government of South Africa, in collaboration with UN-Water, the African Ministers' Council on Water, the United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Human Settlement Programme.
Learn more about the World Water Day 2011 and the urban water challenges facing communities around the world at http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/mainindex.html.