The Netherlands to host World Water Day 2013 global event

In June 2012, the Netherlands ambassador to UNESCO, Mr. Robert Zeldenrust, has informed the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova, about the willingness of the Netherlands to host the global event for World Water Day in 2013. World Water Day (22 March 2013) and the International Year of Water Cooperation are great opportunities for the different organizations active in the water sector to promote actions at all levels on subjects related to water cooperation.

2013_logoIn December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation following a proposal submitted by a group of countries, initiated by Tajikistan. Members of UN-Water agreed that World Water Day on 22 March 2013 should also be dedicated to the same theme. In August 2011, UN-WATER officially appointed UNESCO to lead preparations for both the International Year of Water Cooperation and World Water Day in 2013, in cooperation with UNECE and with the support of UNDESA, UNW-DPC and UNW-DPAC.

A three-hour seminar to officially launch the UN International Year of Water Cooperation and World Water Day 2013 will take place on Monday 27 August 2012 from 15:45 to 18:45 hrs during the World Water Week in Stockholm. You are warmly invited to attend!

 

» World Water Week seminar webpage

 

Water cooperation is multi-dimensional in nature and encapsulates cultural, educational and scientific factors, as well as religious, ethical, social, political, legal, institutional and economic dimensions. A multidisciplinary approach is essential in order to grasp an understanding of the many facets implied by the concept and blend them into one holistic vision. Moreover, for water cooperation to be successful and sustainable, it requires a common understanding of the needs and challenges surrounding the issue of water. As a result, 2013 being the International Year and World Water Day (22 March 2013) will focus predominantly on attempting to build a consensus around the adequate responses to such issues.

 

» 2013 – UN International Year of Water Cooperation

» Water cooperation webpage of the UN International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life’ 2005–2015

 

The coordination in the Netherlands will be lead by the Netherlands National Committee IHP-HWRP.