2003: International Year of Freshwater

The year 2003 will be the International Year of Freshwater, in accordance with resolution 55/196 adopted on 20 December 2000 and backed by 148 countries. The International Year of Freshwater is meant to be a call to governments of different countries by the United Nations and different partners to raise awareness concerning the importance of sustainable use, management and protection of freshwater. The resolution also calls on governments, national and international organizations, and the private sector to offer their voluntary contribution and to propose their own way of supporting this event.

The International Year of Freshwater offers the opportunity to speed up the introduction of the principles of integrated water-resource management. It will serve as the platform to promote current activities and to spur new initiatives within the framework of water resources at the regional, national and international levels.

The World Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002 outlined the broad world objectives concerning water: to reduce by half before 2015 the number of people without access to drinking water and basic hygienic facilities.

The publication by the United Nations of the World Report on the Development of Water Resources will be a key element among the activities meant to inform and sensitize the public about the Year. The first edition will be issued during the 3rd World Forum to be held in Kyoto, Japan in March 2003.