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Freshwater is one of the world's most precious resources, and one that is becoming increasingly scarce. On March 22, 2009, the value of freshwater and the importance of responsible and sustainable international water management will be the focus of the 27th annual World Water Day, observed in countries spanning the globe.

The United Nations General Assembly designated March 22 as World Water Day in 1993. World Water Day is presented by

UN-Water, an organization created by the United Nations to coordinate the efforts of different agencies that deal with freshwater and sanitation issues. The event is coordinated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the assistance of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The theme of this year's World Water Day is "Shared Water Shared Opportunities." Water bodies that cross national boundaries (known as transboundary waters) are a valuable communal resource. Freshwater is abundant enough to meet the world's needs, but is not evenly distributed around our planet. In addition, the quantity and quality of our water is decreasing, due to pollution and the loss of wetlands, a key source of renewable freshwater. Climate change is expected to have further harmful effects on our global water supply. By 2025, it is predicted that 1.8 billion people will be facing absolute water scarcity.

Consequently, the organizers of World Water Day believe that collaboration between nations that share water resources is vital to human health and safety, and a cornerstone to establishing peaceful and mutually beneficial international relationships. Although the scarcity of freshwater is a long-standing global problem, transboundary water issues have been the root of surprisingly little human conflict. On the contrary, the management of transboundary waters has been the foundation of nearly 300 international treaties in the last six decades. The events planned for World Water Day are intended to foster future cooperation on water-related issues.

These events, sponsored by individuals and communities around the world, will commemorate World Water Day 2009 in many diverse ways. In San Diego, participants in the annual 5K Walk for Water will carry water jugs, symbolizing the long distances that people in many parts of the world must travel in order to obtain clean water for their families. In Phoenix, Arizona, a family of four has pledged to turn off the water to their house for a week to spread awareness about the worldwide freshwater shortage, and to collect donations for water filters to help children in areas where clean drinking water is scarce. In the city of Tiruchirappalli and in parts of India's Tamil Nadu region, over 25,000 women from urban slums and rural areas will participate in a campaign for proper sanitation. The Water of Life half marathon in Marlow, England, aims to raise 100,000 British pounds to provide clean water to parts of Africa. The World Water Forum in Istanbul, Turkey, is a week-long event (culminating on World Water Day) that brings stake-holders and decision-makers together to advance global collaboration on water problems.

For more information and a complete calendar of events, visit UN-Water's official 2009 World Water Day website.

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