The Walk for Living Water Charity Walkathon and Carnival, jointly organised by the Water Supplies Department, the Amity Foundation, Hong Kong, and the Love Foundation, was held today (March 21) at the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section). Echoing the National Publicity Tour for Water Conservation organised by the Ministry of Water Resources, the event attracted over 1 000 members of the public, students and representatives from various sectors.

     Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, said that this year marked Hong Kong's first participation as a sub-venue of the National Publicity Tour for Water Conservation, demonstrating Hong Kong's proactive integration into the country's overall development and its determination to support the country in promoting sustainable water resource management. He pointed out that climate change poses an unprecedented challenge for everyone. Hong Kong must stay vigilant and make early preparations to enhance the city's resilience in fresh water supply and at the same time, deepen the culture of water conservation and promote a social consensus on cherishing water resources. He added that the Development Bureau is making proactive efforts to align with the country's 15th Five-Year Plan by deepening regional collaboration, including a joint formulation of the first Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme that is applicable to the Greater Bay Area. This will leverage Hong Kong's international platform with a view to helping Mainland water-related industry connect with the global markets. 

     The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, said that the country has organised the National Publicity Tour for Water Conservation to promote water conservation and protection through diversified publicity efforts and public participation, with a view to implementing the water governance principle of "prioritising water conservation". He said that with the strong support of the country, a stable supply of Dongjiang water to Hong Kong over six decades was guaranteed. However, Dongjiang water is not inexhaustible. He stressed that cherishing water resources is not only an expression of gratitude for the country's support, but also a commitment to future generations. He called on members of the public to cultivate good water use habits in their daily lives, and bring a water-saving culture into families and communities. 
     
     Today's event also echoed the United Nations World Water Day, which will take place tomorrow (March 22), featuring an experiential walkathon in which participants carried shoulder poles with buckets filled with water and completed a designated route. Participants gained first-hand experience of the daily challenges faced by people in water-scarce regions in fetching water, and appreciated the preciousness of water resources and aroused public awareness of the importance of water conservation through the activity. The carnival also featured a water resources thematic exhibition and more than 40 game booths to enhance public awareness of water conservation.

     Other officiating guests at today's event included Executive Council Member, Dr Lam Ching-choi; the Chairman of the Amity Foundation, Hong Kong, the Reverend Eric So; and the Chairman of the Love Foundation, Ms Agnes Chiang.

     Funds raised at the event will be donated to the Amity Foundation to support the provision of water supply and sanitation facilities for rural communities and schools in remote mountainous areas on the Mainland and in developing countries, with a view to improving local living conditions.

Ends/Saturday, March 21, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:00

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