4. 虽然水一直是一种重要资源，但其对社会和地球的重要性却被低估了。对这一事实的认可可以追溯到 1992 年 6 月在巴西里约热内卢举行的联合国环境与发展会议。如上文所述，在《21 世纪议程》中有一章专门讨论有关水的行动，从此，为让世界各地的决策者重视水的作用，开始了漫漫长路。
4. While water has always been a crucial resource, its importance for society and the planet has been undervalued. Acknowledgement of this fact can be traced back to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. As noted, an entire chapter of actions was dedicated to water in Agenda 21, which launched water on its long path towards gaining the attention of decision makers worldwide.