1992年12月22日，聯合國大會的47/193號決議設立了世界水日（每年3月22日）。這是提醒公眾重視水資源問題的一個特殊的日子。在這個日子里，我們可以意識到：向人們提供純凈飲用水的切實努力和世界范圍內對于水問題的認識提高，能夠幫助我們在水資源問題上，做得更出色。

在2003年12月23日的58/217號決議中，大會宣布從2005年3月22日的世界水日開始，2005年至2015年為“生命之水”國際行動十年。

2006年世界水日的主題是"水與文化"，將由聯合國教科文領導。

About World Water Day

World Day for Water, or unofficially World Water Day (WWD), occurs each year on March 22, as designated by United Nations General Assembly resolution.

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 was expected to begin in 1993 and has grown significantly ever since.

The UN invited its member nations to devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for WWD.

World Day for Water 2006: Water and Culture

WWD 2006 will be guided by the theme 'Water and Culture' under the leadership of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

International Decade for Action 'Water for Life' 2005-2015
2005-2015年“生命之水”國際行動十年

Water is crucial for sustainable development, including the preservation of our natural environment and the alleviation of poverty and hunger. Water is indispensable for human health and well-being.

The United Nations General Assembly, in December 2003, proclaimed the years 2005 to 2015 as the International Decade for Action 'Water for Life'.

The 'Water for Life' Decade was launched on 22nd March 2005 by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan with the following video message:

Click to view the video message

Dear friends,

Water is essential for life. Yet many millions of people around the world face water shortages. Many millions of children die every year from water-borne diseases. And drought regularly afflicts some of the world's poorest countries. The world needs to respond much better. We need to increase water efficiency, especially in agriculture. We need to free women and girls from the daily chore of hauling water, often over great distances. We must involve them in decision-making on water management. We need to make sanitation a priority. This is where progress is lagging most. And we must show that water resources need not be a source of conflict. Instead, they can be a catalyst for cooperation. Significant gains have been made. But a major effort is still required. That is why this year marks the beginning of the "Water for Life" Decade. Our goal is to meet the internationally agreed targets for water and sanitation by 2015, and to build the foundation for further progress in the years beyond.

This is an urgent matter of human development, and human dignity. Together, we can provide safe, clean water to all the world's people. The world's water resources are our lifeline for survival, and for sustainable development in the 21st century. Together, we must manage them better.