The 8th World Water Forum celebrates World Water Day

Co-organized by the World Water Council and the Government of Brazil, the 8th World Water Forum gathers over 12 Heads of State, upwards of 100 Ministers, Parliamentarians and Mayors and thousands of water and sustainable development experts and global citizens in Brazil to commemorate World Water Day on 22 March. 

To commemorate this day during the week of the World Water Forum, the World Water Council has prepared a Video News Release revealing global water realities, and an insight into 8th World Water Forum, which places water firmly at the heart of global development. 

Under the over-arching theme of “Sharing Water,” more than 20,000 attendees from 170 countries have come together at the world’s biggest water-related event to find solutions for global water security challenges. 

Over 840 million people worldwide, or 1 in 9, do not have access to basic drinking water services, and 2.3 billion, or 1 in 3, lack access to a toilet. In a global effort to avoid widespread water crises and to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation globally, the World Water Forum provides a crucial opportunity for global authorities to share knowledge and develop strategies for various issues, such as combating climate variability and water scarcity. 

World Water Day 2018 highlights “nature-based solutions” to current water-related challenges, often exacerbated by climate change, disasters and population growth. The World Water Forum helps demonstrate to leaders how a combination of existing infrastructure, geographic realities, natural resources, and adequate financing can lead to better water management.  This also supports the effort to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring safe access to water and sanitation for all, by 2030.