site.btaBulgaria to Mark World Water Day with Various Events

Bulgaria marks World Water Day, March 22, with various events across the country. This year's theme is "Leveraging Water for Peace”.

World Water Day, held annually on March 22 since 1993, is a UN observance focusing on the importance of freshwater and raising awareness of the more than 2 billion people living without access to safe water. 

Following is a list of some of the events for World Water Day in Bulgaria this year.

In Sofia, the Bulgarian Water Association organizes a conference at Inter Expo Center on March 21, the organisation said on its website. The discussion will focus on the importance and good practices of using and managing transboundary waters rivers, on the various aspects of using water resources, and on the newest technologies and solutions that can help handle the main challenges in the water sector regarding water resources’ management, protection and effective use. Among the participants are Michele Iapaolo of the European Space Agency and Raimund Mair, World Bank Senior Water Resources Management Specialist for Europe and Central Asia.

The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) will host a conference dedicated to World Water Day as well as World Meteorological Day, March 23. The official start is at BAS' Prof Marin Drinov Hall at 10 am on March 22, BAS said on its website. The forum is organized by the Climate, Atmosphere and Water Research Institute with BAS. 

In Haskovo (South Central Bulgaria), the Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate is conducting a five-day campaign for World Water Day. Various events are planned for the period from March 18 to 22, including open lessons, presentations, discussions, drawing and photo competitions, all dedicated to water resources. 

In Yambol (Southeastern Bulgaria), a tree planting event will be held at 11 am on March 23, BTA learned from Eli Daskalova, public relations expert at the local water and sewerage (W&S) utility. The initiative is organised jointly with the Bulgarian W&S Holding. A drawing competition for children will also be held; the topic is the power of water.

In Ruse (on the Danube), the local W&S utility and the Municipal Youth Home organize a drawing and photo competition dedicated to World Water Day. Held for the 17th time, this competition is a way for each participant to support the cause of protecting the world’s water resources as well as receive a diploma from UN-Water. The awarded drawings and photos will be exhibited on March 22. The awarded photos will be sent to UN-Water’s headquarters in Geneva, where they can be awarded once again or be featured in an online exhibition.