Internationally renowned river activist, Mark Angelo addressed the United Nations (UN) in 2005 during its Water for Life campaign. The event was aimed to raise awareness about vulnerable water supplies throughout the world. In response to Angelo’s proposal, the UN established World Rivers Day, to be annually celebrated on the 4th Sunday of every September.
It brings people together to raise awareness about the importance of rivers and how they are threatened by human activities.
The theme for World Rivers Day 2024 is "Waterways of Life". This theme underscores the essential role rivers play in supporting ecosystems, wildlife, agriculture, and human communities. It calls attention to the urgent need for actions that safeguard these natural resources, including pollution control, restoration of ecosystems, and the adoption of sustainable practices.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Target 6.6 seeks to halt the degradation and destruction of these ecosystems, and to assist the recovery of those already degraded. The target includes water-related ecosystems such as vegetated wetlands, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater, as well as those occurring in mountains and forests, which play a special role in storing freshwater and maintaining water quality. Ultimately, it is water-related ecosystems that provide water services to society.
Target 6.B calls for support and strengthening the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
Water is Life - Sanitation is Dignity.
On World Rivers Day, you can participate in river clean-up drives, plant trees along riverbanks, switch to sustainable products that reduce water pollution, and raise awareness about the importance of protecting rivers.
Let’s celebrate World Rivers Day by taking concrete actions that safeguard rivers for generations to come. Together, we can make a difference and help protect the waterways that sustain life on earth.
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