Protect Our Water - Our Future Advisory Committee on the Quality of Water Supplies The International Year of Freshwater Youth Forum

Freshwater : A precious commodity “No single measure would do more to reduce disease and save lives in the developing world than bring safe water and adequate sanitation to all” Kofi Annan, Secretary- General UNITED NATIONS

Freshwater : A precious commodity “Water is probably the only natural resource to touch all aspects of human civilization – from agricultural and industrial development to the cultural and religious values embedded in society.” Koichiro Matsuura, Director- General UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION

Freshwater : A precious commodity “The plight of the world’s poor cannot be alleviated without addressing the quality of the resource base upon which they depend – land and water resources. The improvement of water use is central for all of other dimensions of sustainable development.” Nitin Desai, Secretary General WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

What needs to be done ? World leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit and 2002 Johannesburg Submit had agreed to halve by 2015 the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

International Year of Freshwater In recognition of the central importance of water resources to the planet’s future, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the year 2003 as the International Year of Freshwater.

Get involved : Use water Wisely ! The International Year of Freshwater provides the world community an opportunity to raise awareness, promote good practice, motivate people and mobilise resources in order to meet basic human needs and manage water in a sustainable way.