World Water Day: OFID's commitment to water-related projects reflected in latest round of approvals

March 22 marks the observance of UN World Water Day, when a number of celebrations, high-level forums, and awareness-raising events are held across the globe. The UN General Assembly designated March 22 as the first World Water Day in 1993, and in 2010 the Assembly declared 2013 as the UN Year of International Water Cooperation.

The objective of this international year is to raise awareness of the potential for increased global cooperation in meeting the vast challenges facing water management. OFID welcomes this opportunity to place water and sanitation in the global spotlight. Access to both are necessary building blocks for sustainable socio-economic development, and recognizing this, OFID has supported a wide range of projects and programs in the water and sanitation sector.

OFID's most recent support was reflected at the 142nd session of its Governing Board that held on March 20, when close to US$37 million was approved to help fund two public sector projects aimed at raising living standards and improving health indicators for beneficiary communities: 

OFID also approved US$2.35 million in outright grants to support the following initiatives:

See also the January 2013 issue of the OFID Quarterly which highlights the 2013 International Year of Water Cooperation. Other activities OFID has carried out in observance of the year was the publication of a calendar and desk diary dedicated to the cause of water and development. View photos on OFID's Facebook page.