International community must cooperate in face of water-related challenges

Yesterday was World Water Day; across the world, we took a moment to recognize the world’s water crisis. According to UN.org, United Nations Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon said there must be “a spirit of urgent cooperation” to address water-related challenges facing humanity. This is one of the most pressing, urgent issues facing the world today, he said.

“The onset of climate change, growing demand on finite water resources from agriculture, industry and cities, and increasing pollution in many areas are hastening a water crisis that can only be addressed by cross-sectoral, holistic planning and policies – internationally, regionally and globally,” Mr. Ban affirmed.

Despite progress under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), some 750 million people, or more than 1 in 10 of the world's population, remain without access to an improved water supply, the UN has reported.

Visit UN.org to read more from Ban, and check out a post from Contractor Magazine with some great facts and an infographic on World Water Day.