Kuwait marks World Water Day 2013

Under the patronage of Minister of Electricity and Water and Minister of Public Works Abdulaziz Abdulatif Al-Ibrahim, Kuwait on Thursday marked the World Water Day. "The event, organized by the Ministry of Electricity and Water, shows the State's eagerness to protect water resources," Director of the Water Resources Development Center, an affiliate to the Ministry of Electricity and Water, Eng. Meshaal Al-Saeedi said in speech at the opening of the celebration ceremony. Al-Saeedi noted that the steadily, fast-growing world population and demand for water has made the task of finding enough potable water for all people more difficult. He warned that the cute shortage in water resources in many developing and poor nations is threatening the security and stability. Al-Saeedi disclosed that the operational cost of water desalination stations in Kuwait has greatly grown in the past years. These stations cost Kuwait budget KD 1 billion a year, he said. "The optimal use of underground and desalinated water, will help Kuwait cut the water budget and achieve a considerable rate of food security objectives," Al-Saeedi added. He unveiled that the estimated per capita water for Kuwaitis is 70 cubic meters a year, much less than the international water poverty line of 500 cubic meters a year. World Water Day aims to increase people's awareness of the water's importance in all aspects of life. It is held on March 22 each year. The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The First World Water Day was first observed in 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development contained in chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Water Day. A number of NGOs promoting clean water and sustainable aquatic habitats have used World Day for Water as a time to focus public attention on the critical water issues of our era. World Water Day activities include visual art, theatrical and musical celebrations of water, educational events on the importance of clean water and protecting water resources, campaigns and events to raise money for access to clean and affordable water, special broadcasts on television and radio and the Internet, walks, runs, and swimming competitions.