Nairobi, 18 Mar 11

Participants from all over the world are preparing for a spectacular programme on Tuesday 22 March to celebrate World Water Day.

With the theme of Water and Urbanisation, this year’s event is being coordinated by UN-HABITAT with UN Water and the African Ministers’ Council on Water and the official celebration will be marked in Cape Town, South Africa.

Special guests include His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Chair of the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, Dr Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT and the Honourable Edna Mowena, Minister for Water and Environment Affairs in South Africa and President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water.

As well as the high-level meetings and academic talks and discussions, an exciting schedule of entertainment has been organized including an open fair and performances by several leading bands, starting on Sunday 20 March and ending with a live jazz festival on Tuesday evening.

World Water Day dates back to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and is marked annually as an important reminder about the plight of millions who do not have access to clean water or sufficient sanitation.

By addressing water in cities, this year’s event aims to bring international attention to the impact of rapid urban growth, industrialisation and the uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.