World Water Day

World Water Day is an annual United Nations (UN) observance day held on 22 March that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme of each day focuses on topics relevant to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which is in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6. The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) is released each year around World Water Day.

World Water Day is an annual United Nations (UN) observance day held on 22 March that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme of each day focuses on topics relevant to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which is in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6. The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) is released each year around World Water Day.

UN-Water is the convener for World** Water Day** and selects the theme for each year in consultation with UN organizations that share an interest in that year's focus. The theme for 2021 was "Valuing Water" and the public campaign invited people to join a global conversation on social media to "tell us your stories, thoughts and feelings about water".

In 2020, the theme was "Water and Climate Change". Previous themes for the years 2016 to 2019 were "Water and Jobs'", "Why waste water?" "Nature for Water", and "Leaving no one behind". World Water Day is celebrated around the world with a variety of events. These can be theatrical, musical or lobbying in nature. The day can also include campaigns to raise money for water projects.

The first World Water Day, designated by the United Nations, was in 1993.

Annual themes

• 2022 – Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible
• 2021 – Valuing Water
• 2020 – Water and Climate Change
• 2019 – Leaving No One Behind
• 2018 – Nature for Water
• 2017 – Why Waste Water?
• 2016 – Better Water, Better Jobs
• 2015 – Water and Sustainable Development
• 2014 – Water and Energy
• 2013 – International Year of Cooperation
• 2012: Water and Food Security
• 2011: Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge
• 2010: Clean Water for a Healthy World
• 2009: Trans Waters
• 2008: Sanitation
• 2007: Coping With Water Scarcity
• 2006: Water and Culture
• 2005: Water for Life Decade 2005–2015
• 2004: Water and Disasters
• 2003: Water for Future
• 2002: Water for Development
• 2001: Water for Health
• 2000: Water for the 21st century
• 1999: Everyone Lives Downstream
• 1998: Groundwater– The Invisible Resource
• 1997: The World's Water: Is there enough?
• 1996: Water for Thirsty Cities
• 1995: Women and Water
• 1994: Caring for our Water Resources is Everybody's Business