The World Water Day, celebrated on 22 March annually since 1993, aims to bring attention to the importance of freshwater and advocate the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The Sustainable Development Goals include a dedicated Water Goal making water a key element of the 2030 Development Agenda.

This year's World Water Day theme focuses on wastewater as an untapped resource and the campaign, "Why waste water?" is about reducing and reusing wastewater.

Along with other UN-Water members, FAO is actively promoting the importance of safe use of wastewater, in particular in agriculture.

Agenda:

· Welcome Statement. Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy-Director General, Climate and Natural Resources (FAO).

· Remarks. H.E. Jioji Konusi Konrote, President of the Republic of Fiji

· Keynote speeches:

Yousef Juhail, Counsellor, Permanent Representative of Kuwait to FAO. 

Friedrich Wacker, Deputy-Director General for International Cooperation and Global Food Policy, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Germany.

· Launching: The UN World Water Development Report 2017. "Wastewater, The Untapped Resource". Video presentation.

Michela Miletto, Deputy-Coordinator, UNESCO World Water Assessment Program (WWAP)

Renata Clarke, Head, Food Safety and Quality Unit, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department (FAO)

· Closing Remarks. René Castro-Salazar, Assistant Director-General, Climate, Biodiversity, Land and Water Department (FAO)