WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 2023 WILL BE CELEBRATED AS WORLD WATER DAY BY 193 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.
Wednesday March 22, 2023 will be celebrated as World Water Day by 193 countries around the world. This annual event brings attention to the plight of billions of people lacking access to safe drinking water while at the same time celebrating actions to address the global water crisis.
This year’s theme for World Water Day is: “Accelerating Change.” The aim is to increase the rate of progress in order to achieve universal coverage on the targets set out under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. Though advancements have been recognized on targets such as access to safe drinking water, access to adequate sanitation and improvement in freshwater quality in many countries, the current rate of change will not meet the goals by 2030. Therefore, the theme lends to the United Nations (UN) 2023 Water Conference in New York from 22-24 March 2023, where it will be a key opportunity for world leaders to accelerate action for water.
Water is fundamental to all aspects of life. It is at the core of sustainable development. This means that the degree to which the other sixteen (16) SDGs achieve their targets are affected by SDG 6. It is estimated that 829,000 people annually, die from diseases directly attributable to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices. Therefore, the urgency to accelerate change is understood.
Though Saint Lucia continues to be water stressed due to climate variability, environmental degradation and water infrastructure challenges among others, fundamental developments are ongoing aimed at producing a consistent and safe supply of water to citizens. Key among those in recent years are the Dennery and Vieux Fort Water Supply Redevelopment Projects.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development continues to encourage environmental conservation and the responsible use of water resources and extends best wishes to all our stakeholders on the observance of World Water Day 2023.