On 22 March, as part of the World Water Day celebrations, the United Nations World Water Development Report was launched. The report is produced annually by UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) on behalf of all UN agencies dealing with water-related issues (UN-Water).
The 2024 edition of the document, entitled ‘Water for Prosperity and Peace’, highlights how the scarcity of this important resource can generate geopolitical tensions and human rights violations. Water infrastructure plays a central role in economic growth and employment. Moreover, safe access to clean water and sanitation improves quality of life and health, promoting prosperity.
Cooperation in water management has produced positive results, helping to promote peace and optimally manage transboundary water basins. On the other hand, water-related crises threaten world peace, with billions of people still without access to safe drinking water sources and adequate sanitation. The UNESCO report analyses the gap between the UN goal of ensuring access to water for all by 2030 and the current situation, offering policy makers the tools to address this crucial issue.
