International Decade for Action: "Water for Life"

During the 58th session in December 2003, the United Nations General Assembly agreed to proclaim the years 2005 to 2015 as the International Decade for Action, "Water for Life" as from 22 March, World Water Day. This constitutes the second international decade on water-related issues under the support of the United Nations.

The first water decade from 1981 to1990, brought water to over a billion people and sanitation to almost 770 million. Much more still needs to be done. Safe water supply and adequate sanitation to protect health are among the basic human rights. 

Today, there are still almost 1.1 billion people who have inadequate access to water and 2.4 billion without appropriate sanitation. The new decade: ‘’Water for Life’’ will strive to ensure the participation of women in water-related development efforts and further cooperation at all levels to achieve water-related goals of the Millennium Declaration, Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit for Sustainable Development and Agenda 21.” 

A programme of work for a coordinated response for the Decade is currently under consideration by UN Water involving relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, regional commissions and other organisations of the United Nations to deliver a coordinated response.

For more information on the World Water Day, you can click here