Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 22, 2019 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis joins the international community to commemorate World Water Day 2019, which is celebrated on March 22 every year, as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of such a vital resource.
This year’s celebrations is observed under the theme “Leaving No one Behind”.Minister of Public Infrastructure, the Honourable Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd, reflected on the theme, noting that
“some themes provoke our thoughts in different ways”.
“This year’s theme ‘Leaving No One Behind’ provokes us to think deeply and it beckons us to not only to think but to act. This year’s theme is perfectly aligned with Sustainable Development Goal number six (6) to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. A relatively simple idea to express. But, it requires tremendous effort and collaboration across all sectors,” said Minister Liburd.
Minister Liburd referenced the launch of the 2030 United Nations (UN) agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015 where 17 goals were established with the objective of “eradicating poverty in all forms, and seeking to realize the human rights of all”. He added that back in 2010, the United Nations recognized “the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.”
“The human right to water entitles everyone, without discrimination, to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use; which includes water for drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation, also personal and household hygiene,” he said. “Access to safe water is therefore a fundamental human need and, thus, a basic human right.”
He noted that the observance of World Water Day typically casts the spotlight on the value of fresh water to life on earth.
“It is well documented that although about 70 percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water, only less than one percent is available for human use. A day like today thus provides an opportunity to emphasize the importance of fresh water to mankind.
According to https://www.worldwaterday.org/ this World Water Day is about tackling the water crisis by addressing the reasons why so many people are being left behind. The 2019 commemoration of World Water Day looks at why people have been left behind and how access to water and sanitation and sustainable water management can be drivers of change. Water for all implies that also elderly, disabled, marginalized and poor people get access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation.
