Date: 14 January 2014
Convener: United Nations University (UNU) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization

World Water Day is held annually by UN-Water in March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Water and Energy are the overarching topic for World Water Day 2014 and for the World Water Development Report 2014 which will be launched on the occasion of the celebrations of World Water Day 20-21 March 2014 in Tokyo.

In 2014, the UN System – working closely with its Member States and other relevant stakeholders – is collectively bringing its attention to the water-energy nexus, particularly addressing inequities, especially for the 'bottom billion' who live in slums and impoverished rural areas and survive without access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, sufficient food and energy services. It also aims to facilitate the development of policies and crosscutting frameworks that bridge ministries and sectors, leading the way to energy security and sustainable water use in a green economy. Particular attention will be paid to identifying best practices that can make a water- and energy-efficient 'Green Industry' a reality.

World Water Day is about what UN System and its partner will do in 2014 and beyond to promote sustainable practices in the realm of water and energy.

• Raise awareness of the inter-linkages between water and energy;
• Contribute to a policy dialogue that focuses on the broad range of issues related to the nexus of water and energy;
• Demonstrate, through case studies, to decision makers in the energy sector and the water domain that integrated approaches and solutions to water-energy issues can achieve greater economic and social impacts;
• Identify policy formulation and capacity development issues in which the UN system, in particular UN-Water and UN-Energy, can offer significant contributions;
• Identify key stakeholders in the water-energy nexus and actively engaging them in further developing the water-energy linkages;
• Contribute as relevant to the post-2015 discussions in relation to the water-energy nexus.

• The session will offer an overview of events that will be organized for the World Water Day 2014 celebrations;
• This session will present and discuss the main messages in the World Water 2014 advocacy guide and provide information on how organizations can contribute to the World Water Day 2014 key messages.