The World Water Day is an international day of observance and action to draw attention to the plight of the more than one billion people worldwide who lack access to clean and safe drinking water. Celebrated since 1993, March 22 was designated as the day to celebrate the occasion, after the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 47/193 of February 22, 1993 at its 47th session.
This resolution is extremely important as it reveals the extent to which water resource development contributes to economic productivity and social well-being.
The resolution was greatly essential in a world where populations and economic activities grow every day, while many countries are rapidly reaching conditions of water scarcity. More than one billion people throughout the world, and mostly in Africa have little choice but to drink from potentially harmful sources of water.
Twenty four United Nations agencies and convention secretariats have combined their efforts and expertise to produce a comprehensive and up-to-date report on the state of the world's freshwater resources. The World Water Development Report was officially launched at the occasion of World Water Day, during the third World Water Forum. The report indicated the daily death of 25,000 people because of the scarcity of clean water.
The General Assembly of the United Nations also decided to proclaim the period from 2005 to 2015 as the International Decade for Action, "Water for Life".
Water scarcity is one of the major problems facing our world. Development plans use up huge amounts of water for agriculture and industrial plans. Water pollution is another issue which needs to be looked into.
Not a magic wand
The UN water resolution is not a magic wand for a problem of this size. There has to be a number of well studied and organised procedures, suitable for every country.
Major procedures that can well serve as solutions include abiding by international laws dealing with the right of countries to the rivers passing through their land, regardless of the source of this water supply. This will also help in maintaining peace and stability, as water issues may trigger wars and disputes between various countries.
Abiding by international, regional and local laws related to environmental issues and prohibiting the usage of water contaminators, will also help in preserving the water environment.
Allocating a budget for scientific research and developing technologies for controlling water usage and less costing water desalination methods, will also assist in solving water problems. Water irrigation methods, in line with preserving water and finding ways for collecting rain water in natural reserves will greatly improve the water situation.
Moreover, conducting studies related to making use of the fresh water of polar ice caps, by neighbouring locations, will help in providing a fresh water supply in these countries as well.
Research on methods to collect atmospheric water vapour, through economically practical methods, will help semi-arid and desert areas to harvest water.
All these procedures will assist in solving the increasing water problem, especially when they are discussed in international gatherings and days set to increase awareness on this vital issue.
Dr Mohammad Akef Jamal is an Iraqi writer based in Dubai.
