The General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed 2013 "International Year on Water Cooperation" so as to raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services.

Water, a vital resource unlike any other, knows no borders, and so calls for shared responsibility regarding its use on all levels both locally and globally, and among all its players: civil societies, governments, industries, scientists, etc.

Furthermore, women must play an important role in decision-making regarding the management of water because they are the ones, more often than not, who are responsible for fetching water in developing countries.