World Drowning Prevention Day is a cause close to the heart of Princess Charlene of Monaco

Princess Charlene of Monaco has issued a public statement marking World Drowning Prevention Day, urging greater awareness of water safety risks.

The 48-year-old addressed the 261,000 Instagram followers of the royal household's account over the weekend to mark the occasion.

The theme of this year's World Drowning Prevention Day is "Unite to turn the tide", and the movement is calling every sector and level of society to aim to reduce drowning by 35 per cent by 2035.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), drowning kills more than 300,000 people a year, equivalent to 30 an hour.

Among them, almost a quarter are children under five, and it is in the top ten leading causes of death for children aged between five and 14 years.

In her social media statement, Princess Charlene declared: "On this World Drowning Prevention Day, I would like to remind everyone that these tragedies are often preventable."

She said that "learning to swim, knowing lifesaving techniques and remaining vigilant can save lives."

"Every summer, the Princess Charlene Foundation reinforces this commitment through an awareness campaign in Monaco and several coastal cities, promoting safe behaviours and reminding as many people as possible of the essential steps they can take to stay safe," the royal added.

"As periods of extreme heat lead more people to the water, prevention is more important than ever.

"Drowning gives no warning; a few seconds of attention can make all the difference.

"Together, let us make water safety a priority for everyone."

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The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation was established in 2012, and strives to "prevent drowning and to develop the education of children through the values of sport".

The foundation was set up by Charlene, who represented South Africa as a swimmer at the Olympics, as a matter of personal importance and has become a defining priority of her royal life.

During her childhood, her five-year-old cousin Richard drowned in a river near her uncle's home, an incident she later described as "devastating".

And in 2018, the 19-month-old daughter of one of Charlene's close friends wandered into a neighbour's garden, fell into the pool and drowned.

Since becoming a mother of two to Prince Jaques and Princess Gabriella, water safety has become a priority for her family.

More than 90 per cent of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels, and swimming pools, in low- and middle-income countries, according to WHO.

"Closing the gap depends on all of us doing our part – every person, in every place, in every context," the organisation states.

Drowning as a cause of death has reduced by 38 per cent since 2000.

The United Nations General Assembly first recognised drowning prevention as a global priority in 2021, declaring July 25 as World Drowning Prevention Day that year.