Esteemed Members of the United Nations General Assembly,
Distinguished UN Water Envoy,
Fellow Citizens of the World,

On behalf of the Water Positive Think Tank, and joined by a growing global coalition of citizens, communities, institutions, and nations, we respectfully submit this petition:

That June 17, currently observed as the UN World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, be renamed and redefined as “Water Positive International Day”. 

This is not a proposal to abandon the urgent and vital work of desertification and drought prevention, but rather to evolve and expand the observance, aligning it with a hopeful, action-oriented narrative that speaks to the challenges of our time and the opportunities ahead.

Why Transform the Day?

We stand at a crossroads. With a global population approaching 10 billion, the demand for freshwater is escalating. The threats of drought, desertification, and degradation of water sources are not diminishing — but neither is the capacity for human ingenuity, cooperation, and regeneration.

The world urgently needs a paradigm shift — from fear to action, from scarcity to abundance, from depletion to restoration. 

Water Positive International Day would serve as a global reminder that:

• We can return more water than we consume.
• We can restore ecosystems, recharge aquifers, reuse and desalinate.
• We can harness policy, technology, art, and culture to inspire sustainable water futures.
• We can leave no one behind, especially in the most arid, underserved, and vulnerable regions of the planet.

This reimagined day would continue to spotlight the issues of drought and land degradation — but also champion the solutions that are already working, and the vision of a world that is not only water-secure, but water-generative.

A Global Movement Already Underway

Last year alone, Water Positive Day was celebrated in over 10 countries, through community events, walks in nature, conversations, workshops, and digital forums. This is not just an initiative. It is the birth of a global movement. The name is new. The spirit is universal. The time is now. 

An Open Call to the World

We call upon:

• 🌍 All nations seeking a sustainable and secure future.
• 🏛  All institutions, governments, and international bodies.
• 💧 All water utilities, industries, and technology innovators.
• 🌿 All communities, teachers, artists, youth, and elders.
• ❤ Every person who believes that regeneration is possible.

Join us in endorsing this petition to make June 17 the Water Positive International Day. Together, we can shape a new chapter for humanity — one that begins with water, and ends with solidarity, sustainability, and shared purpose.

✍ Sign the Petition

Join the call to transform June 17 into Water Positive International Day by signing your name and affiliation below.

“I support the designation of June 17 as Water Positive International Day, a global call to action for water regeneration, sustainability, and inclusion.”