Accordingly, WHO has stressed the need for concrete and concerted efforts to provide clean drinking water and improve health as well as to increase awareness worldwide about the problems and solutions. It is felt by the WHO that WWD is a unique occasion to remind everybody that solutions to water problems are possible by turning words into political commitment and action.

The UN is concerned about three primary gaps in groundwater management which have enormous implications for sustainable development: the accelerated degradation of groundwater systems, through pollution of aquifers; the lack of both professional and public awareness about the sustainable use and economic importance of groundwater resources generally; and the economic implications of not resolving groundwater demand and supply management.

There are problems regarding sharing of river waters among different countries. According to the UN, there are 276 trans-boundary river basins in the world. Their continents-wise distribution  is as follows: 64 trans-boundary river basins in Africa, 60 in Asia, 68 in Europe, 46 in North America and 38 in South America. Often countries get into conflicts regarding sharing of river waters.

The UN's message on WWD-2013 states, "Water cooperation is a foundation for peace and sustainable development. Water cooperation contributes to poverty reduction and equity, creates economic benefits, helps preserve water resources and protect the environment, and builds peace.”