Published 29 May 2023
Royal Life Saving Society - Australia welcomes the adoption of the first World Health Assembly resolution on drowning prevention, during the 76th Assembly, 29 May 2023.
The WHA Resolution - “Accelerating action on global drowning prevention” seeks to mobilise the World Health Organization (WHO), governments, non-government organisations, and other partners to respond to drowning as an often-overlooked public health issue.
In recognising that there is no more important tool for drowning prevention than collaboration, the Resolution commits WHO, and compels others, to work together to raise awareness of the need for drowning prevention globally, nationally, and locally.
Among calls for strengthening data collection, raising public awareness, and a focus on sharing lessons across nations and communities, three actions standout as critical to sustained impact on drowning.
First, the confirmation of the first Global Status Report on Drowning, has the potential to create significant national interest, new knowledge and be a catalyst for new policies and collaborations in countries not yet engaged in drowning prevention. For countries like Australia, the report help to reinforce progress against our Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 targets.
Second, the commitment to form a Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention realises a long-held dream for many in the field. A Global Alliance is needed to strengthen engagement with organizations of the UN system, international development partners, funders, and NGOs.
Third, the development of a Global Drowning Prevention Strategy is welcomed. A global strategy is needed to guide action, generate and mobilise resources, and sustain focus on communities most affected by drowning.
All of this makes the upcoming World Drowning Prevention Day, July 25 more important. In doing one thing, the WHA resolution, reinforces the daily, weekly, monthly actions of the many millions across the globe who live and work to prevent drowning.
We thank the Governments of Bangladesh and Ireland, who have shown continued commitment to raising action for drowning prevention at the highest levels. We acknowledge the support provided to them by our colleagues at Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh, and Water Safety Ireland.
We express our ongoing gratitude to the WHO Department of Social Determinants of Health, who since the first Global Report on Drowning in 2014, have worked tirelessly to build a credible platform of reports, guidelines, case studies and encouraged the cooperation that underpins the Resolution.
Finally, we acknowledge the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for their ongoing leadership of the issue. Their advocacy efforts, first at the UN General Assembly, and now at WHA level, have been instrumental in giving nations the confidence that action on drowning prevention is not only needed, but practical and likely to have many social, health and economic benefits.
We look forward to co-hosting the World Conference on Drowning Prevention, Perth 5-7 December 2023, and expect that delegates from WHO, RNLI, Ireland, and Bangladesh and many other parts of the world will come to together to reflect on how they can help ensure this resolution saves lives.
Justin Scarr
Chief Executive Officer
You can find more information about the resolution here:
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-drowning-prevention-day/2023
