With the objective of observing Earth Week, beginning with Earth Day that was observed on 22 April, UNESCO New Delhi and UNIC are organising the national launch of ‘The United Nations World Water Development Report 2017: Wastewater – the Untapped Resource’ on 26 April at UNESCO auditorium here.

The quantity of wastewater produced and its overall pollution load are increasing worldwide. Over 80 per cent of the world’s wastewater, and over 95 per cent in some developed countries, is released to the environment without being treated. Pollution from untreated wastewater adversely affects human health and the environment, in addition to reducing freshwater.

The event will see the participation of the UNESCO Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, Shigeru Aoyagi, Secretary, Department of Water Sanitation, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Parameswaran Iyer and the presentation of the report by Mitrasen Bhikajee, Head of Science Sector, UNESCO New Delhi Cluster Office. Guest speakers R.D. Singh, Louis-Georges Arsenault, and Jaco Cilliers will be speaking at the event.

The programme will also include the prize distribution ceremony for the winners of #Science4Sustainability Photo Contest, organised by UNESCO last year and will conclude with a handpledge. The Statesman is the official media partner for the event.