Kofi Annan's Speech on World Water Day
Guidance for Reciting
World Day for Water，on March 22 occurs each year，as designated by United Nations General Assembly resolution. Kofi Annan，the UN Secretary General，made the following speech in his 2005 World Water Day address.
Dear friends，
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.
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.
科菲？安南在“世界水资源日”的演讲一则
诵读导言
每年的3月22日是联合国规定的“世界水资源日”。本篇是联合国秘书长科菲？安南于2005年在当天的讲话。
亲爱的朋友：
水是生命中不可或缺的。然而，世界上仍有许许多多的人面临着缺水的窘境；每年有成千上万的儿童死于水性疾病。另外，干旱也经常侵袭世界上那些最贫穷的国度。全球需要对此作出更积极的反应。我们需要提高水资源的，尤其是在农业方面的，利用效率；需要把女性（无论长幼）从经常性的长距离取水的日常家务中解脱出来；必须让她们也参与到水资源管理的决策当中；我们必须首先保证水资源的卫生，这是最重要、最亟待解决的方面；我们还必须认清：水资源绝不能成为冲突的根源，相反，应该成为加强合作的契机。
水资源的问题极为迫切，它关系到人类发展与人性尊严。团结起来，我们就能为全球各地的人们营造出安全、洁净的水资源，这是人类生存的生命线，是21世界可持续发展的基石。团结起来，我们必须更为妥善地处理水资源这个问题。
Notes
1.afflict[E5flikt] v. 使苦恼，折磨
2.haul [hC：l] v. 拖，改变方向
3.sanitation [sAni5teiFEn] n. 环境卫生（卫生设备，下水道设备）