The following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the World Day for Water, observed 22 March:

The theme of this year’s observance of World Day for Water -– “Water for Development” –- reflects the fundamental place of water in sustaining life and conserving the environment.

An estimated 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water,2.5 billion people have no access to proper sanitation, and more than 5 million people die each year from water-related diseases –- 10 times the number killed in wars, on average, each year.  All too often, water is treated as an infinite free good.  Yet even where supplies are sufficient or plentiful, they are increasingly at risk from pollution and rising demand.  By 2025, two thirds of the world’s population is likely to live in countries with moderate or severe water shortages.  Fierce national competition over water resources has prompted fears that water issues contain the seeds of violent conflict.

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed next year the “International Year of Freshwater”.  Everyone has a stake in seizing these opportunities to chart a decisive course of action for meeting the Millennium Development Goals on access to freshwater.  If we work together, a secure and sustainable water future can be ours.

""""""""While a third of the world population faces water scarcity, it is not because there is not enough water to go round, but because of choices people make.""""""""                                             - IWMI report