Emphasize gender equality in water management elsewhere

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Only three per cent of the world’s water is freshwater. However, 2.5 per cent of all the world’s water is locked in glaciers, ice-capped polar areas, the atmosphere, and soil, making it directly unusable. In addition, some of this water is either too polluted to use or too costly to extract. Therefore, only 0.5 per cent of the world’s total water resources are usable freshwater for human consumption.
While climate change is threatening both the quantity and quality of freshwater, people in many countries around the world are facing difficulties in accessing reliable support for freshwater availability in numerous areas. In reality, there are very few effective approaches to address issues related to population growth and migration. Only through the implementation of broad-based assistance and practical solutions to water demand can the challenges facing humanity be overcome and alleviated.
Since the early 21st century, climate change has caused drought and water scarcity to intensify in many parts of the world. The famine affecting the Horn of Africa shows signs that its consequences may directly or indirectly spread to other smaller countries as well. Experts assess that many poor developing countries, including those in Africa, are likely to experience more severe droughts due not only to current water shortages, rapid population growth, poor governance, and poverty, but also to the continued deterioration of environmental conservation.

The theme for World Water Day 2026 is ‘Water and Gender’. This theme addresses a stark reality: water scarcity and lack of sanitation disproportionately affect women and girls. In many parts of the world, gender inequality and water poverty are deeply connected. When water is scarce, women are often the ones who bear the burden.

Due to climate change, glaciers and snow in major mountain ranges around the world – including the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Andes – are melting. These glaciers are freshwater sources that provide drinking water for one in every six people on Earth. New evidence shows that these glaciers are disappearing faster than expected, leading to water shortages in Peru and other regions.
The theme for World Water Day 2026 is ‘Water and Gender’. This theme addresses a stark reality: water scarcity and lack of sanitation disproportionately affect women and girls. In many parts of the world, gender inequality and water poverty are deeply connected. When water is scarce, women are often the ones who bear the burden.
Everybody needs to manage water as a common good and build resilience for the future. This includes engaging men and boys as allies in promoting safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all, and in challenging the norms and behaviours that hold women and girls back. Only then can safe water services meet everyone’s needs – empowering women and girls to lead healthier, more fulfilled lives – and making water a force for sustainable development and gender equality that benefits all.

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Control smoke haze and air pollution as national responsibilities
Control smoke haze and air pollution as national responsibilities
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Prevent transboundary haze air pollution
Prevent transboundary haze air pollution
Smoke haze levels tend to rise due to intense heat during March, April, and May each year. In years with extremely hot and dry weather conditions, fire hotspots occur more frequently. To effectively prevent and control transboundary haze pollution along the Myanmar-Thailand border, relevant authorities from both countries are making concerted efforts to implement measures aimed at reducing cross-border smoke haze.Transboundary haze air pollution is a frequent occurrence among neighbouring countries that share borders. To reduce fire hotspots and control cross-border haze pollution, priority areas are designated based on the number and density of fire hotspots in the respective regions and states. Continuous efforts must be undertaken, including shifting from slash-and-burn cultivation to highland farming, producing organic fertilizer from agricultural waste, preventing the careless use of fire in forests, and establishing response plans in the event of haze pollution.Smoke haze air pollution severely affects public health; therefore, more effective approaches must be sought to successfully implement measures for reducing fire hotspots and controlling haze pollution as a national responsibility. Awareness-raising activities are being carried out by the Ministry of Border Affairs. Such awareness-raising programmes on the prevention of transboundary haze pollution have been conducted at departments and schools.Smoke haze is mainly caused by the burning of fields after harvest in shifting cultivation areas and by forest fires. Each year, particularly in March and April, people in the border areas of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos experience the impacts of air pollution. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) present in the haze can lead to respiratory problems, eye irritation, and lung diseases, posing particular risks to children and the elderly.In Myanmar, the average annual number of fire hotspots typically ranges from over 37,000 to more than 56,000. Most of these hotspots, caused by forest fires and land clearing for agriculture —particularly slash-and-burn cultivation — are found in Shan State and Sagaing Region. The number of fire hotspots recorded nationwide was 51,091 in 2024 and 45,025 in 2025, representing a decrease of 6,066 cases, or about 12 per cent. Efforts are underway to achieve a reduction of up to 20 per cent in 2026.Smoke haze air pollution severely affects public health; therefore, more effective approaches must be sought to successfully implement measures for reducing fire hotspots and controlling haze pollution as a national responsibility. Awareness-raising activities are being carried out by the Ministry of Border Affairs. Such awareness-raising programmes on the prevention of transboundary haze pollution have been conducted at departments and schools.Every country places great importance on ensuring that its citizens live long and healthy lives free from illness. As this is not an issue that can be addressed by a single country alone, all neighbouring countries must actively cooperate and participate. To enable everyone to live in good health and well-being, efforts to prevent and control transboundary haze air pollution must be carried out without fail.gnlmPhoto: Gemini
Sustain zero waste of food in society
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Choose the best way for the future
Choose the best way for the future
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Build a peaceful and prosperous nation
Build a peaceful and prosperous nation
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Emphasize gender equality in water management elsewhere
Emphasize gender equality in water management elsewhere
Only three per cent of the world’s water is freshwater. However, 2.5 per cent of all the world’s water is locked in glaciers, ice-capped polar areas, the atmosphere, and soil, making it directly unusable. In addition, some of this water is either too polluted to use or too costly to extract. Therefore, only 0.5 per cent of the world’s total water resources are usable freshwater for human consumption.While climate change is threatening both the quantity and quality of freshwater, people in many countries around the world are facing difficulties in accessing reliable support for freshwater availability in numerous areas. In reality, there are very few effective approaches to address issues related to population growth and migration. Only through the implementation of broad-based assistance and practical solutions to water demand can the challenges facing humanity be overcome and alleviated.Since the early 21st century, climate change has caused drought and water scarcity to intensify in many parts of the world. The famine affecting the Horn of Africa shows signs that its consequences may directly or indirectly spread to other smaller countries as well. Experts assess that many poor developing countries, including those in Africa, are likely to experience more severe droughts due not only to current water shortages, rapid population growth, poor governance, and poverty, but also to the continued deterioration of environmental conservation.The theme for World Water Day 2026 is ‘Water and Gender’. This theme addresses a stark reality: water scarcity and lack of sanitation disproportionately affect women and girls. In many parts of the world, gender inequality and water poverty are deeply connected. When water is scarce, women are often the ones who bear the burden.Due to climate change, glaciers and snow in major mountain ranges around the world – including the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Andes – are melting. These glaciers are freshwater sources that provide drinking water for one in every six people on Earth. New evidence shows that these glaciers are disappearing faster than expected, leading to water shortages in Peru and other regions.The theme for World Water Day 2026 is ‘Water and Gender’. This theme addresses a stark reality: water scarcity and lack of sanitation disproportionately affect women and girls. In many parts of the world, gender inequality and water poverty are deeply connected. When water is scarce, women are often the ones who bear the burden.Everybody needs to manage water as a common good and build resilience for the future. This includes engaging men and boys as allies in promoting safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all, and in challenging the norms and behaviours that hold women and girls back. Only then can safe water services meet everyone’s needs – empowering women and girls to lead healthier, more fulfilled lives – and making water a force for sustainable development and gender equality that benefits all.gnlm
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