The International Year of Freshwater (IYFW) was officially launched
on 12 December 2002, with simultaneous celebrations occurring at the United
Nations in New York, and UNESCO
in Paris. The United Nations General Assembly
proclaimed the year 2003 as the International
Year of Freshwater to increase awareness of the importance of sustainable
freshwater use, management and protection.
The publication by the United Nations system of the World
Water Development Report will be a major focus of the Year's public
information activities. Its first edition will be launched at the Third
World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan in March 2003.