Coping with Scarcity
UNESCO Press Release No. 2007-25
Paris, 19 March – One out of five people in the world has no access to drinking water and 40% of the population lack the basic water treatment facilities, according to the second edition of the UN World Water Development Report published in 2006. World Water Day, on 22 March, is an ideal opportunity to recall these statistics and to take action to improve them because the theme this year is Coping with Water Scarcity.
In a message to mark the occasion, UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said: "With growing scarcity and competition for water a threat both to peace and poverty eradication, it is imperative to secure a more effective and equitable allocation of this vital resource."
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