World Water Day takes place annually on 22 March and was established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the global water and sanitation crisis. Each year, World Water Day has a different theme, proposed by UN-Water and aligned with the annual UN World Water Development Report. This year's theme is "Leveraging Water for Peace".

World Water Day is therefore an annual reminder that water is the foundation of life on our planet and an essential resource for the well-being of people and nature. This special occasion raises awareness of the importance of using water responsibly and enables us to work together for a more sustainable future. World Water Day inspires and galvanises people around the world to take action to protect and sustainably use this vital resource. The day also aims to help achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals and create a better, fairer and greener world for future generations.

Water can both create peace and trigger conflicts. Scarcity, pollution or unequal access to water can increase tensions between communities and countries. According to a UN progress report from 2023, more than 3 billion people worldwide depend on transboundary water resources, yet only 24 out of 153 countries that share water resources have cooperation agreements for all their shared water. Co-operation in the water sector can promote peace and sustainable development.

To tackle challenges such as climate change, mass migration and political unrest, nations need to put water cooperation at the centre of their strategies. Water can lead us out of crises and promote harmony between communities and countries by advocating for the fair and sustainable use of water – from international UN agreements to local action.

There are already countless initiatives that aim to achieve this. They are just one example of how cross-border cooperation in the field of water resource management is not only possible but can also be successful if countries work together on the sustainable use and protection of their shared water resources. Such co-operation helps to avoid potential conflicts and at the same time promotes sustainable development and environmental protection in the regions involved.

SDG 6, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, stands for universal and equitable access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. The implementation of SDG 6 has a direct impact on other goals, such as food security, health and climate protection.

Water is a crucial resource for agriculture, as it is necessary for the growth of plants and the maintenance of animal health. Sustainable management of water resources helps to ensure that sufficient water is available for food production and that food security is guaranteed for the world's growing population. Without sufficient water resources, there is a risk of crop failures, which can lead to food shortages and hunger. Therefore, the implementation of SDG 6 is crucial for the achievement of SDG 2, which aims to end hunger and promote sustainable agriculture.

Clean water and sanitation are crucial for the prevention of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid. Improving access to clean water can curb the spread of infectious diseases and improve the general quality of life. The implementation of SDG 6 thus contributes to the achievement of SDG 3, which aims to promote well-being and ensure healthy lives for all.

Water is a vital resource that plays a central role in sustainable development and the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals. This year's World Water Day reminds us of the importance of water for peace and co-operation and calls on us to use this precious resource responsibly and sustainably. By working to protect water resources, we can contribute to better food security, health, and climate protection. It is our responsibility to reduce our water consumption, use water more efficiently and support initiatives for the conservation and sustainable use of water resources. Even by implementing small measures and realising how important water is in our daily lives, we can all help to create a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.