World Water Day 1999
Everyone Lives Downstream
Joint UNEP and The United Nations University News Release
Introduction -
UNEP materials -
IRC support -
Five key issues -
Promising developments -
Celebrations worldwide
Introduction
Excessive floodings of major rivers in the world in 1998 have resulted in thousands of deaths and caused enormous damage in China, Bangladesh, and India, where nearly half of the world population lives. They are not only the result of excessive rains, but also of interference by mankind in the river basins. These tragedies make us realize that virtually everybody in this world lives downstream. The 1999 World Water Day 22 March will concentrate on the theme: Everyone lives downstream.
Celebration of the Day dates back to 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/47/193 (22 February 1993) by which 22 March of each year was declared World Day for Water. States were invited to devote the Day, as appropriate in the national context, to concrete activities such as the promotion of public awareness through the publication and diffusion of documentaries and the organization of conferences, round tables, seminars and expositions related to the conservation and development of water resources and the implementation of the recommendations of Agenda 21.
The 1999 World Water Day will highlight the fact that when it comes to using freshwater, human beings, whether they live in a village or a megacity, cannot isolate themselves from their neighbours. Rather, there are fundamental linkages and dependencies between water users and uses in a given drainage basin that affect everyone in that basin.
Noting increasing human population growth, urbanization, industrialization and food production as we move into the 21st century, the need to consider these linkages and interactions within the context of a comprehensive river basin or groundwater aquifer-scale integrated management programme is more critical than ever.
To this end, this year's WWD materials will include not only written documents, but also a range of video and audio programmes that can be used worldwide. It is further intended that these materials will be timeless in their content, to allow their copyright free use not only for this year's WWD theme, but also for the remaining 364 days in the year and beyond.