Ban Ki-moon: World on course to run out of water

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned the world is on course to run out of freshwater unless greater efforts are made to improve water security. Speaking on the UN's International Day of Biological Diversity (IDB), Ban said there was a 'mutually reinforcing' relationship between biodiversity and water that should be harnessed. We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and where water quality often fails to meet minimum standards. Under current trends, future demands for water will not be met, Ban said. Meanwhile, the UN Information Centre in Beirut launched, in cooperation with the Lebanese American University, an awareness campaign for the students in Lebanon on the occasion of the IDB. The campaign is aimed to increase understanding and awareness on biodiversity and water issues. It includes a tour on a number of public and private schools, targeting 700 high schools students. On May 22, 1992, the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted by the United Nations at a conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Since 2001, the International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated each year on the anniversary of this date.