In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation (Resolution A/RES/65/154). In reflection of this declaration, the 2013 World Water Day, which will take place on 22 March 2013, also will be dedicated to water cooperation. Therefore, UN-Water has called upon UNESCO to lead the 2013 United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation, in particular because of the Organization’s unique multidisciplinary approach which blends the natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication.

Geneva, March 22, 2012: On World Water Day, United Nations water and sanitation expert Catarina de Albuquerque called on countries not to go back on their decisions to recognize the right to water and sanitation for all, and act consistently with them. The right to water and sanitation was explicitly recognised by the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council in 2010.

Following the success of World's Longest Toilet Queue Campaign in March 2010, comes the "World Walks for Water" initiative--a global event from 19-22 March 2011- aimed to raise awareness of the world’s current water and sanitation crisis, and critically, demand strong government action to stop the needless deaths of 4000 children every day.