World water day 2011: Water for cities - responding to the urban challenge

The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.

This year's theme, "Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge," aims to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to actively engage in addressing the defy of urban water management.

The global celebrations of World Water Day 2011 (WWD 2011) provide a good opportunity to alert the world to the adverse global situation in urban water management, and to encourage seizing opportunities to address these formidable challenges. Through disseminating knowledge of successful approaches, it also seeks to give hope that solutions can be found. A principle objective of WWD 2011 is to celebrate success and better educate decision-makers, sector stakeholders and the world population about solutions.