In the week that we celebrate World Water Day (March 22), the United Nations (UN) predicts that by 2030, global population will require 35% more food, 40% more water and 50% more energy. This year, the celebrations revolve around the theme of Water and Energy and the entrenched relationship between these two elements was highlighted at the UN meeting in Tokyo to celebrate the day. 

Water and energy are among the most imminent global challenges, according to the UN member-secretary general of the Water Meteorological Organization Global and Michel Jarraud, in a statement released by the organization.

Currently, 768 million people lack access to clean water, 2.5 billion do not have improved their sanitation and 1.3 billion lack access to electricity, according to the UN. 

The situation is considered unacceptable by Jarraud. According to him, another fact is that people who have no access to clean water and sanitation are, most often, they do not have access to electricity.

The Global Report on Water and Development in 2014, authored by UN-Water, reinforces the need for policy and regulatory frameworks that recognize and integrate approaches to priorities in the areas of water and energy. 

The document highlights how water-related issues impacting the field of energy and vice versa. One of the examples cited remember that drought decreases the production of energy, while the lack of access to electricity limits the possibilities for irrigation. 

Also according to the report, 75% of all industrial water consumption is directed to the production of electricity.

Energy and water are at the top of the global development agenda, according to the rector of United Nations University, David Malone, who is the coordinator of this year's World Water Day on behalf of UN-Water, together with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.