water is essential for life. yet many millions of people around the world face water shortages. many millions of children die every year from water-borne diseases. and drought regularly afflicts some of the world's poorest countries. the world needs to respond much better. we need to increase water efficiency, especially in agriculture. we need to free women and girls from the daily chore of hauling water, often over great distances. we must involve them in decision-making on water management. we need to make sanitation a priority. this is where progress is lagging most. and we must show that water resources need not be a source of conflict. instead, they can be a catalyst for cooperation. significant gains have been made. but a major effort is still required. that is why this year marks the beginning of the "water for life" decade. our goal is to meet the internationally agreed targets for water and sanitation by 2015, and to build the foundation for further progress in the years beyond.

this is an urgent matter of human development, and human dignity. together, we can provide safe, clean water to all the world's people. the world's water resources are our lifeline for survival, and for sustainable development in the 21st century. together, we must manage them better.

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水是生命必不可少的。但数以百万计的世界各地的人们面临水资源短缺。每年数百万儿童死于水源性疾病。定期和干旱折磨一些世界上最贫困的国家。世界需要更好的回应。我们需要增加水的效率,特别是在农业。我们需要免费的日常家务的妇女和女童拖水,经常在很远的地方。我们必须让他们参与水管理决策。我们需要优先考虑卫生。这就是进步是最落后的。我们必须表明,水资源不需要冲突的来源。相反,他们可以合作的催化剂。显著的收益。但一个主要的努力仍然是必需的。这就是为什么今年是“生命之水”十年的开始。我们的目标是满足对水和卫生设施的国际商定的目标,到2015年,并在多年的建设进一步发展的基础。

这是一个紧急的人类发展的问题,和人类的尊严。在一起,我们可以提供安全、干净的水,世界上所有的人。世界上的水资源是我们的生存的生命线,并在21世纪可持续发展。在一起,我们必须更好地管理它们。