Celebration of World Water Day

Renews the importance of fresh water as a public asset of the world

The nation observed World Water Day 2010 at the Seoulsup Park in Seoul on March 23 with approximately 1,600 people in attendance. Among those on hand at the ceremony were Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, Minister of Environment Lee Maanee, Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Chung Jong-hwan and representatives from various walks of life.
In December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly designated April 23 of each year as World Day for Water, with the goal of preventing an ever-worsening shortage of water and water pollution and reawakening the importance of water. The Korean government has held anniversary ceremonies every year since 1995.
The theme for World Water Day 2010, the 18th year of its celebration, was “Communicating Water Quality Challenges and Opportunities,” stressing everybody’s responsibility for protecting clean water, a public asset of the earth, from diverse water pollutants’ threats to human beings and health.
The government’s anniversary ceremony was designed to awaken the general public’s awareness that water is an essential thing to life and has diverse values in such areas as environment, future, energy and culture. It also delivered the message that water reservoirs should be expanded to brace for a shortage of water, steps should be taken to prevent floods and efforts must be made to improve water quality and sustain a healthy water ecosystem.
Prime Minister Chung delivered his commemorative speech, stressing the successful implementing of the Four Rivers Restoration Project so that fundamental solutions to such water woes as droughts, floods and water pollution can be found. Chung announced government policies to conserve water resources, nourish the water industry and integrate waterworks projects, adding that he urged people to join a nationwide campaign to put their love for water into action. Participating celebrities transplanted tree saplings near the anniversary site to indicate a declaration of their determination to protect water and pursue low-carbon, green growth. nw