World Water Day 2016

Event to mark World Water Day 2016 and launch the World Water Development Report

The official World Water Day event for 2016 was held in Geneva, at the ILO headquarters. It had been convened on behalf of UN-Water under the theme of “Water and Jobs” and saw the launch of the UN World Water Development Report on the issue.

The event brought together key actors of the world of work, the water sector and environmental groups to highlight the symbiotic relationship between water and work.

Access to quality water and decent work has the power to transform people’s lives but millions of people struggle to access either. In addition, those who work in water are often not recognized or protected by basic labour rights.

Today, almost half of the world's workers – 1.5 billion people – work in water related sectors and nearly all jobs depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery.

The World Water Development Report on Water and Jobs, which was launched at the event, provided new insights into the situation of water workers and how the sector can improve.

The launch was followed by a panel discussion on how access to decent work and quality water can transform lives and livelihoods and provide the foundation for fair, sustainable and inclusive societies.

A photographic exhibition, featuring images showing the relationship between water and the world of work, was installed in the ILO Colonnades to mark the day and remained throughout March and April.