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Motion · S7M-00239 · 2 Jun 2026

Recognising Drowning Prevention Week and World Drowning Prevention Day 2026

Lodged by Clare Adamson (Scottish National Party) Members' Business Motion 28 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament marks World Drowning Prevention Day 2026 on 25 July, and recognises that it forms, alongside Drowning Prevention Week, which takes place from 13 to 20 June 2026, one of the UK's principal water safety awareness campaigns, promoting education, drowning prevention and life-saving water safety skills; notes that, through Resolution A/RES/75/273 of the UN General Assembly on Global Drowning Prevention in April 2021, World Drowning Prevention Day was established as a global advocacy event to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and to promote life-saving solutions to prevent death by drowning; understands that an estimated 236,000 people drown every year worldwide, and that drowning is among the 10 leading causes of death for children aged five to 14, with more than 90% of drowning deaths occurring in rivers, lochs, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools in low- and middle-income countries, where children and adolescents in rural areas are disproportionately affected; considers that these initiatives are critical in raising awareness and encouraging the public to enjoy water safely; further considers that, with the right water safety education, including knowledge of the Water Safety Code, accidental drownings are preventable; welcomes the provision of educational resources by Water Safety Scotland, which were created by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and include free water safety lessons for schools and practitioners and the first curriculum-aligned water safety resources; commends the Royal Life Saving Society UK and partner agencies, including Water Safety Scotland, for their tireless advocacy for improved water safety, and encourages members of the public to make use of the resources produced; further commends Water Safety Scotland, alongside Scottish Water, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Darcey Sunshine Foundation and RoSPA, for hosting the fourth annual Water Safety Open Day on 25 July 2025 on the shores of Loch Lomond in support of World Drowning Prevention Day; encourages everyone to attend and engage with water safety education and awareness activities; notes with sadness the tragic deaths of 17 people across the UK during the recent period of warm weather, and extends its thoughts and condolences to the families, friends and communities affected.

Supporters (28)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.