The celebrations for World Water Day on 22 March 2013 will take place around the world with the theme of water cooperation.

In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation (Resolution A/RES/65/154 ).

Water cooperation is a foundation for peace and sustainable development. Water cooperation contributes to poverty reduction and equity, creates economic benefits, helps preserve water resources and protect the environment, and builds peace.

Water, a vital resource unlike any other, knows no borders. For instance, 148 countries share at least one transboundary river basin. That’s why water cooperation is key to security, poverty eradication, social equity and gender equality. In addition, water cooperation generates economic benefits, preserves water resources, protects the environment and builds peace. As rapid urbanization, climate change and growing food needs put ever-increasing pressure on freshwater resources, the objective of the Year is to draw attention to the benefits of cooperation in water management.

To focus attention on this important subject the celebrations for World Water Day on 22 March 2013 will take place around the world with the theme of water cooperation.