Developing water resources

Description

Developing water resources involves identifying, harnessing, and managing surface and groundwater supplies to meet human, agricultural, and industrial needs. This strategy focuses on constructing and maintaining infrastructure such as reservoirs, wells, and irrigation systems, improving water quality, and ensuring equitable distribution. Its practical intent is to remedy water scarcity, support sustainable development, and reduce vulnerability to droughts and contamination, thereby enhancing health, food security, and economic resilience in affected regions.

Context

Water is essential to sustain life. The availability of water in quantities, and of a quality, sufficient to meet basic human needs is a prerequisite both for improved health and for sustainable development.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends mobilization of water resources, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas.