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 United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water by adopting a resolution. This world day for water was to be observed starting 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.

States were invited to devote the Day to implement the UN recommendations and set up concrete activities as deemed appropriate in the national context.

The Subcommittee welcomes the assistance offered by IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre to contribute to an information network centre in support of the observance of the Day by Governments, as required.

世界水日是人类在20世纪末确定的又一个节日。为满足人们日常生活、商业和农业对水资源的需求，联合国长期以来致力于解决因水资源需求上升而引起的全球性水危机。1977年召开的“联合国水事会议”，向全世界发出严正警告：水资源短缺不久将成为一个深刻的社会危机，继石油危机之后的下一个危机便是水。1993年1月18日，第四十七届联合国大会做出决议，确定每年的3月22日为“世界水日”。

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）