The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.
The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water by adopting a resolution. This world day for water was to be observed starting in 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development contained in chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21.
States were invited to devote the Day to implement the UN recommendations and set up concrete activities as deemed appropriate in the national context.
Key Facts about Water in Africa
Access to water supply and sanitation in Africa was estimated in 2006 to be 64% and 38% respectively which compares unfavorably with corresponding world averages of 87% and 62%.
Only 20% of the irrigation potential and about 6% of the hydropower potential has been developed. Water storage capacity is less than 50 m3/person compared to about 3,500 m3/person in Europe, and 6,000 m3/person in the USA.
Less than 5% of agricultural land is irrigated.
Africa has very little water storage capacity: only 200 cubic meters per capita compared with over 1,000 in most developing countries.
60 of Africa’s major rivers cross national borders; making international cooperation on water essential.
Existing spending on water supply and sanitation is not enough to meet the Millennium Development Goals: the funding gap is over USD 9 billion per year.
Role of the AfDB
The African Development Bank recognizes that one of the critical factors for promoting sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction in Africa is the provision of access to affordable infrastructure services to all. This is it has identified infrastructure as a key focus area in the Bank. Infrastructure for water security ranks high among its priorities, and a Department of Water and Sanitation was created to concentrate actions in the sector.
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