About a month from today, on the 22nd March 2012, the world will be celebrating a world wide event call World Water Day. ‘World Water Day’ has been observed on 22 March since 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared 22 March as World Day for Water.
This day was first formally proposed in Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Observance began in 1993 and has grown significantly ever since; for the general public to show support, it is encouraged for the public to not use their taps throughout the whole day, the day has become a popular Facebook trend.
[Malaysia World Water Day facebook Page]
Malaysia World Water Day Facebook Image
The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world’s water resources. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Water Day. Since its inception in 2003, UN-Water has been responsible for selecting the theme, messages and lead UN agency for the World Day for Water.
In addition to the UN member states, a number of NGOs promoting clean water and sustainable aquatic habitats have used World Day for Water as a time to focus public attention on the critical water issues of our era. Every three years since 1997, for instance, the World Water Council has drawn thousands to participate in its World Water Forum during the week of World Day for Water. Participating agencies and NGOs have highlighted issues such as a billion people being without access to safe water for drinking and the role of gender in family access to safe water. In 2003, 2006 and 2009, the UN World Water Development Report was launched on the occasion of the World Water Day. The fourth Report is expected to be released around 22 March 2012.
The theme of 2012 is: Water and Food Security: The World is Thirsty Because We are Hungry. Coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The visual identity and communication campaign is by UN-Water.
We are able to find websites that are emphasizing the important of the event such as:
and many more. Sabah, Malaysia government had also came a website & event to the awareness of all Sabahan toward the event at Hari Air Sedunia 2012.
In conjunction with the event of World Water Day 2012 themed ‘Water And Food Security’, the State Goverment via the Water Department (JANS), Department Of Irrigation & Drainage (DID), Public Works Department (PWD) and Institution Of Engineers Malaysia, Sabah (IEMS) will be organising a state level conference, exhibition and educational visit at Grand Ballroom, The Pacific Sutera Resort, Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu on the 20th-22nd March 2012.
Participation for the events is opened to water supply, sewerage, wastewater, irrigation, drainage and food industries.
The organiser with the Sabah Professional Photographers’ Society (SPPS) will also hold a photograph competition according to the event’s theme that will be opened to two categories; open and student until 12.00 noon, 10th March 2012.
The rules and regulations for the Photograph Competition and any further information required regarding the events; please call the Secretariat at +6 088-259122 or email to: iemsabah@sabah.org.my or iemsabah.adm@gmail.com. For Photograph Competition entry form download and other information please click this link.
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