Whole World Water announced earlier Maldives president Mohamed Waheed will celebrate World Water Day by signing the Whole World Water Referendum for Clean & Safe Water.

The referendum encourages the hospitality and tourism industry to replace branded bottled water with filtered water sold in recycled, reusable glass bottles.

The plan also sees tourism operators donate ten per cent of the proceeds to the Whole World Water Fund.

The Referendum will be signed during an on-air Google+ Hangout.

The Whole World Water Google+ Hangout will highlight how governments can work with the private sector to drive positive, sustainable change.

Considered a top tourism destination by many, the Maldives is among the most vulnerable of the small island states to the consequences of climate change, and faces acute development challenges such as a shortage of potable water.

With 28 per cent of the GDP coming from tourism, this industry has a significant role to play in helping to mitigate these challenges.

“What our world urgently needs to achieve sustained development will require significant changes in what we produce, and how we consume our resources,” said president Waheed.

“It is my hope that by endorsing this initiative, all hotels and resorts in the Maldives will join Whole World Water and that the Maldives will serve as a global example of how governments can work with the private sector to drive positive, sustainable change for all.”