This session aims to introduce several different approaches to managing coastal wastewater sources in a manner that protects vital coastal and marine environments. Participants will explore innovative, sustainable wastewater treatment technologies and nature-based solutions that aim to reduce pollution, restore natural water cycles, and support local economies. The session will feature case studies demonstrating successful implementation of integrated wastewater management strategies from source to sea, highlighting the importance of collaboration among governments, industries, NGOs, and communities. Key case studies will include policy frameworks that have supported scalable and replicable solutions, emphasizing the role of cross-sectoral partnerships in achieving significant reductions in ocean pollution. This session seeks to empower stakeholders with the tools and insights needed to contribute to healthier oceans and more resilient coastal communities.

There is a growing need to prioritise water for food, nutrition and human security. A human rights perspective serves to elevate water for food as a priority in efforts to establish human security and peace. This session will feature high-level experts and officials presenting the current state of water insecurity and food and nutrition security at the intersection with peace and human-wellbeing. Addressing water resources for food and nutrition is one necessary path to ensure multiple human rights, such as food, clean water, and basic security, while also safeguarding sustainable and productive landscapes for future generations. These multi-dimensional targets (SDG 2,3, 6, 15) are off-track in many geographic regions affected by water insecurity and social instability. By addressing the human rights perspective, we can provide an approach to ensure water for food is embedded into efforts toward enduring peace and security.

Identifying and funding solutions to help communities around the world cope, adapt, and thrive in the face of the climate crisis will require unprecedented commitment, creativity, and collaboration. Private philanthropy has a unique and crucial role to play in helping address the climate crisis. Private giving creates the flexibility to take bigger, bolder actions to try new ideas and replicate innovative solutions. Xylem, a leader in developing innovative water solutions, and Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian organization, partner to respond to water, sanitation, and hygiene needs after disaster strikes. After 15 years of successful partnership, and in light of the urgency of the climate crisis, we asked ourselves how we could do even more together to help address the greatest issue of our time. In 2021, Xylem funded Mercy Corps’ pilot project in Jordan to conduct in-depth research on the impact of climate change as it relates to water security, agricultural production, and livelihoods. This enabled us to co-design an innovative water-focused proof concept to strengthen agricultural production and livelihoods in a vulnerable village. Thanks to Xylem’s catalytic investment, the project was fully funded by the Australian and Swiss governments and can now be replicated across the country.

As we confront pressing water management challenges, we must gauge our current consumption patterns to anticipate and prepare for the scenarios awaiting us in 2035. Our proposed session will identify opportunities to create self-sustaining aquifers by that date while exploring the results of a comprehensive analysis of various existing and future water usage and users. Central to our discussion will be the projections for 2035, considering factors such as population growth, urbanization trends, climate change impacts, and innovation. Through this foresight, we’ll elucidate the risks posed to water resources, highlighting vulnerabilities various stakeholders face. By presenting case studies from regions exhibiting distinct climatic conditions and consumption patterns, we intend to illuminate the multifaceted nature of water utilization across industries, households, and agriculture. The interdisciplinary nature of the sessions is designed to foster dialogue on sustainable and innovative methodologies and collaborative frameworks essential for addressing imminent challenges. Our session endeavours to equip participants with actionable insights and pragmatic solutions. By fostering knowledge exchange and partnerships, we aim to catalyse collective action towards securing water resources essential for future generations.

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on agriculture's evolving role in water security. Today's water crisis requires urgent attention, particularly in LATAM's stressed basins. Recognizing the interdependence between water availability, irrigation management, and peace promotion is crucial. With 70% of the world's freshwater used for irrigation and food production, enhancing water management in agriculture is essential for achieving water security and sustainable development. Agriculture emerges as a vital component of responsible water management, with producers leading the charge. Incentivizing producers to adopt efficient irrigation practices through technology is key. Organizations setting water security goals and investing in initiatives underscore the importance of cooperation for a sustainable future. Water serves as a unifying force in this endeavor. Our panelists will explore how collaboration and technology are reshaping agriculture's role as a guardian of water security in LATAM's stressed basins. Through insightful discussions and real-world examples, we'll uncover innovative strategies driving this transformative process. This panel offers a unique opportunity to gain insights and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable water management. Join us as we discuss agriculture's pivotal role in shaping a more resilient and water-secure future for Latin America.

The session will discuss various factors identified as enablers and barriers of constructed wetlands (CW) application as a nature-based solution for wastewater treatment. CW are designed to mimic the processes of natural wetlands which naturally filter and improve water quality. While CW have been utilized as a wastewater treatment method for decades and can be much more economical and environmentally friendly than conventional treatment options, adoption rates in low- and middle-income countries remain low. To understand the challenges and promoters of CW adoption as a technical solution, RTI team conducted semi-structured interviews and surveys in five countries as case studies (Senegal, Kenya, the Philippines, Jordan, and Dominican Republic). The research results will be presented and will be followed by a panel discussion to share experiences from each country.

Companies in the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector are increasingly encouraged to engage their agricultural suppliers on water stewardship, as this is where the majority of corporate water impact occurs. But how does a company navigate such complex and opaque supply chains? What if you do not know who your suppliers are? How do you influence suppliers to adopt new practices? These are the types of questions we aim to answer during this session. A panel of companies from the F&B sector will discuss their experiences in analyzing their supply chain risks, tracing and engaging their agricultural suppliers, how they dealt with opacity and traceability constraints, how they have built capacity in their procurement teams, and other topics. The audience will also be given a chance to share their ideas and challenges with agricultural supply chain engagement.

This session delves into the Sustainable Water Sanitation and Hygiene for all (SUSWA) project's endeavors in bolstering WASH management and capacity development practices within local governments (LGs) in the Karnali Province of Nepal. The presentation offers insights into SUSWA's initiatives have since 2021, aimed at establishing effective WASH management structures in remote LGs. Through case studies and analyses, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the role played by WASH Management Committees (WASH-MC) and WASH units in overcoming institutional and structural challenges. The session highlights SUSWA's strategies for sustaining WASH services, including the formation of WASH Management Committees, establishment of WASH units, and capacity enhancement training for staff members. Additionally, the session explores the development of sectoral policies and tools to guide municipal WASH management and outlines future collaboration strategies  to strengthen support for rural municipalities and municipalities in the region. Attendees will leave with valuable insights into best practices for promoting sustainable WASH activities at the local level.

There is a limited understanding of the impacts of water governance interventions given their complexity and difficulty to study, yet they are a critical aspect of securing the human right to water and rural livelihoods. To fill this gap, we are undertaking a three-method evaluation in early 2024 to examine the outcomes of local-level water governance interventions in a Territorial Water Governance project in rural Honduras. We will examine the project's impacts on households, partner stakeholders, and communities across the watershed basin by employing a natural experiment, the Most Significant Change participatory method, and Pause & Reflect workshops. The study explores variables such as conflict resolution, water and sanitation access, livelihoods and household income, perceptions of water management, norms, and decision-making processes. The results will inform an enhanced understanding of the mechanisms driving change and conflict resolution through water governance, and its diverse impacts. This knowledge is vital for crafting effective policies in Central America and informing future water governance interventions in other similar contexts. By focusing on economic and well-being indicators, the findings can amplify the discourse on water governance and inform sector conversations on the human right to water, community prosperity, and the overarching vision of the SDGs.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), with technical support from WaterAid Bangladesh, released the National WASH Accounts 2020 report in November 2023. The report revealed that in 2020, WASH sector expenditure was BDT 598 billion (aprx. USD 6 billion) which is 2.18% of the country's total gross domestic product (GDP). Around BDT 172 billion (aprx USD 2 billion) which is 28% of the total WASH spending was on capital investment for building new water supply, sanitation of hygiene services, including hardware and software costs such as the procurement of pipes or paying for detailed design or associated training. Households spent an average of BDT 11,574 annually for WASH. This represented 4.3% of citizens' average annual household income. While it is proof of households having willingness to pay for WASH, we can anticipate the expenditure may higher than 4.3% for poor and hard-core poor households. It provokes thinking: 1. What are the sources of financing for WASH for people living in poverty in the exacerbating backdrop of climate change? 2. How is microfinance playing a real role here? 3. Are we missing out other financing options?

Want to know more about setting up groundwater institutions? This session discusses experiences related to setting up groundwater institutions in River Basin Organizations (RBOs). The SADC-GMI, in partnership with Member States and RBOs, has launched several initiatives to foster groundwater policy, legislation, and institutional arrangements. The intended session presents lessons learned from establishing and training National Focal Groups in Member States, launching strategic partnerships with RBOs, conducting groundwater assessments in transboundary aquifers (TBAs), basin plans, and Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion (GESI) capacity development to promote sustainable groundwater management. The modality of the session includes keynote speakers, panel discussions, and audience interaction. The distinguished contributors to the session will contribute to our current understanding of promoting regional peace through transboundary and regional cooperation and harmonizing legislation, policies, and strategies. We invite attendees from RBOs and other water management institutions to share their experiences in finding groundwater's voice.

Peace and water are interlinked. Throughout history, there are more cases when water-related disaster become opportunities between riparian countries by sharing critical information and extending support to affected neighboring countries. In the past fifty years, water was used as an agent for peace in 1,200 diplomatic events, or two thirds of the 1,800 total events on water. Leaders can position water as strategic means for peace, and discuss diplomatic ways to materialize it. On the other hand, water infrastructure which are vital for human survival may become targets of malicious forces. Construction and repair of water infrastructure in the situation of fragile peace setting is difficult. Facilities and workers related to water and other essential services should be protected from military offense even in wars and conflicts. The session will discuss on the actions at the time of water hazards to foster peace among countries based on a set of recommendations compiled as HELP Principles to Peace before, during and after Water-related Disasters. After the the keynote speech and introduction of the Principles, the cases of shared by the international experts with interaction of participating various stakeholders.

The session will build on insights from the U.S. State Department's 2023 World Water Week event on 'Himalayan Water Security.' The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region crucially supplies one-fifth of global freshwater, sustaining over 1.8 billion people in South and Southeast Asia. However, rapid and ad-hoc development, including plans for large-scale water diversion and hydropower projects, threatens the region's ecological balance, affecting downstream water access and ecosystems. UN General Assembly Resolution 77/158 declared 2025 the "Year of Glaciers’ Preservation," and the 2025 International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation has raised the priority for international cooperation and data sharing in meeting climate adaptation goals and supporting Himalayan nations' socio-economic development. Through interdisciplinary examples and audience dialogue, we'll explore strategies to mitigate development's adverse effects while ensuring fair water distribution and enhancing ecosystem resilience. The session will highlight innovative glacier preservation methods, drawing from real-world examples. Audience engagement will drive interactive discussion and collaborative action, focusing on glacier protection, awareness-raising, scientific understanding, and strengthening policy, with a special emphasis on safeguarding the Tibetan plateau's environment and water resources.

In Ukraine, attacks on civil infrastructure have destroyed 1,000 km of water networks and caused power outages, disrupting access to basic services and raising the already high risks of diseases. 40 percent of the national water and sanitation system was already in critical condition before the full-scale war due to old and decaying infrastructure. The total cost of damage to the sector, as of December 2023, is estimated to be almost US$4 billion, and losses are estimated to be US$11.6 billion.

The right to safe water and sanitation is rooted in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, United Nations resolutions and the Geneva conventions. It is a right that is as critical to the survival of children as food, medical care, and protection from attack. It is critical as ever to unpack the humanitarian-development nexus to improve children's access to clean drinking water, and to save lives in conflicts and crises. 

This session focusses on the heightened efforts by the Government of Ukraine, and humanitarian and development partners, in ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation for affected populations, across the nexus. On one hand, interventions are directly responding to the emergency to prevent disruption of services which are purposely targeted, and on the other, focus is placed on the recovery agenda with a lens for Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union, giving an opportunity for Ukraine to make the shift from old and decaying Soviet infrastructure and services, to decentralized low-cost, energy-efficient and sustainable water supply and sanitation service delivery.

The accelerating climate change and global water crisis is a planet-sized problem that demands water users and operators to invest in solutions that can achieve multiple objectives. In many cases, this includes the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS), which are actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, to address water security challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. Grey infrastructure remains the dominant type of intervention to improve water security. There is, however, a growing movement to implement large-scale NbS or hybrid investments as these solutions are increasingly seen as cost-effective strategies. Development Finance Institutions are increasingly interested in incorporating NbS into the mix for their investments. The session will showcase what Development Banks are doing to mainstream NbS into their portfolio of water projects, presenting examples of projects incorporating NbS and discussing 1) the benefits and costs of such solutions and their broader impacts in terms of climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, etc.; 2) what made these cases possible and how these experiences could be replicated in other contexts; 3) the challenges and opportunities to do more.

The session consists of two parts: 10 minutes of general introduction followed by 40 minutes for each part including presentation, panels discussion and Q&A.

 Part 1: Water Sustainability and Livelihood Enhancement In this part, we will explore innovative solutions to protect water reservoirs while improving livelihoods and promoting social cohesion by creating short-term employment opportunities for vulnerable Jordanian and Syrian refugees to preserve dam storage capacities and reduce soil erosion. Also, provide practical approaches that enhance water sustainability, and support local communities. The Audience, female refugees, and host community members will be actively involved in a panel discussion and Q&A and will share their best practices and lessons learned. 

Part 2: Power of Data in times of Conflict Challenges stemming from refugee influx escalating water demand will be addressed. Highlighting operational challenges, exploring practical implementation perspectives, emphasizing the power of data to overcome challenges, and showcasing instrumented data-driven approaches in addressing water sustainability and improving water management practices. Bringing together all the convenors, in addition to water professional to emphasize the role in tackling water challenges in discussions to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and transformative potential of data-driven solutions.

As part of the triple planetary crisis, pollution and other water quality impairments have a widespread impact on global freshwater and downstream marine systems. An estimated 80% of transboundary rivers are severely affected by water quality degradation and several significantly contribute contaminants to seas. This degradation not only affects basin states, but is often acutely felt locally, impacting the health and livelihoods of basin communities. Given the potential ramifications to ecosystems and communities, states are pressured to respond and navigate these water quality challenges. Transboundary cooperation provides an opportunity to peacefully address water quality concerns including through basin agreements, institutions, and participation in international conventions. However, existing and emerging water quality impacts can challenge these dynamics. Additionally, many transboundary basins still lack cooperative mechanisms, and ineffective action can hamper security in riparian communities. This session will explore how transboundary water quality cooperation can be developed and maintained to peacefully address concerns from source-to-sea.Through a combination of short inputs and panel discussions from a range of stakeholders, the proposed session will explore the state of transboundary water quality cooperation, its impacts, and best practices that build resilient solutions to water quality and related security dynamics at international and local scales.

Critical infrastructures face multifaceted threats, ranging from potential armed conflicts, terrorism or cyber-attacks to risks posed by extreme weather events. This hands-on workshop helps participants understand and respond to these threats. 

Through expert presentations and group discussions, participants will learn about the vulnerabilities of services like water, wastewater treatment and the electricity needed to provide them. Drawing on global best practice examples, we identify plausible solutions and strategies to enhance the preparedness of critical infrastructures. Participants will share knowledge and experiences to overcome common challenges, connecting people worldwide regardless of location or level of development. 

This is a chance to explore new technologies and services that can function without necessarily being connected to a centralized grid, reimagine our infrastructures for the safe provision of water and wastewater services to new generations, and learn from real-world crises where preparedness was put to the test. We want to include as many perspectives as possible, not least addressing cascading risks that are often forgotten. The aim is to enable participants to design effective strategies in their communities and foster collaboration after World Water Week. We hope to form a global community creating a roadmap for infrastructure preparedness.

This critical session will dive deep into the need for collaboration to ensure the equitable and sustainable use of shared water resources in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will present successful examples in transboundary water cooperation and engage the audience in a dynamic discussion about overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities. The focus will be on building stronger institutional frameworks that foster dialogue, information-sharing, and coordinated decision-making. It will also delve into the importance of developing clear legal agreements and effective policy frameworks that guarantee equitable access to water resources. Sharing technical knowledge and best practices will be key to building capacity and fostering effective cooperation across borders. Through collaboration with diverse stakeholders and the exchange of diverse experiences, this session seeks to bridge the divide in water management, ultimately creating a water-secure future for all.

The session brings insightful case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America, demonstrating community-level examples of inclusive decision-making. Highlighting the human rights-based principles of public-participation, non-discrimination, data transparency, accountability and sustainability, the case-studies will be used to show how international human rights standards can be brought to play in local policy, reflecting national and international standards. This 90-minute session will include presentations that highlight the needs of different vulnerable groups, and how a structured and inclusive approach to decision-making can be used to create more successful projects that stand the test of time. It will bring representatives from each of the regions to tell their stories, with stories from indigenous groups, women, people with disabilities, and migrant communities. The stories will be told in different media, using music, performance and storytelling to explain how the projects have succeeded with participative approaches, where others might have failed.

Gender, disability, and social inclusion stand as imperatives in international development, embodying the core ethos of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – to leave no one behind. Despite evolving from technical disciplines, water resources management is fundamentally a social and political realm. Decisions in this domain, rooted in engineering and science, undergo intricate negotiations and power dynamics, necessitating a deeper exploration of whose interests are prioritised. In the aftermath of COVID-19, compounded by climate change and global conflicts, marginalised groups, particularly women and persons with disabilities, face severe setbacks in accessing essential resources like water. This session will explore the practical integration of gender, disability and social inclusion principles in the context of water resources management projects. It will emphasise collaboration with local organisations representing marginalised communities, enabling the identification and resolution of contextual barriers. This approach ensures the development of locally fitting solutions to combat water and climate crises, concurrently influencing national policies. As we navigate these challenges, the session will aim to crystallise a path forward where equity, resilience, and sustainable water management form the cornerstone of global development.

Water as Leverage (WaL) is a Dutch-founded public-private partnership (PPP) for international collaborative water management. In 2023, two multidisciplinary teams joined WaL Cartagena to develop conceptual designs and strategies to significantly enhance the city's water system. The program aims to promote innovative designs to address climate change adaptation and urban water management challenges while leveraging infrastructure investments and incorporating significant social components. These proposals are mandated to tackle climate adaptation through local collaboration and to build comprehensive solutions grounded in local knowledge and Cartagena's tradition of living with water.

This experience underscores the importance of collaboration in driving innovation and sustainability in water projects, including a strong need of focusing on Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Therefore during the workshop role-playing will be employed to foster innovative water management strategies.

Participants will assume various roles to explore the critical role of designers in water management. This exercise will deepen their understanding of the complexities, challenges, and opportunities in water design and policy, promoting informed dialogue and integrated solutions. The implementation strategy emphasizes stakeholder synergy, linking planning with financing for realistic, feasible solutions. Final presentations will showcase how integrated design addresses real-world challenges through diverse perspectives, creating sustainable outcomes.

This interactive session showcases innovative tools that enable efficient and collaborative water management. With case studies from around the world, we explore solutions for optimizing lake and reservoir operations, monitoring and managing water quality and quantity, enhancing water governance and achievement of the SDGs. The discussion focuses on multiple perspectives, emphasizing the crucial role of clear communication between tool developers and users, the incorporation of local knowledge, and the importance of effective implementation, not just the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Join our panellists: Cayelan Carey (Virginia Tech, USA), Bethlehem Mengistu (Agenda for Change, Ethiopia), Rozemarijn ter Horst (Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands), Elias Munthali (Northern Region Water Board, Malawi), and Dennis Trolle (WaterITech, Denmark) as they engage on water challenges in their own contexts from distinct perspectives.

Why have efforts to increase water security thus far failed to bring about the desired outcome? What role does climate resilience play in this? The session will promote multi-faceted approaches to transforming governance to achieve water security for all under a new global initiative called Just Transitions for Water Security. Partners will share evidence and lessons learned from early experiences implementing strategies which strengthen policy, investment, and accountability to catalyze improved water governance and climate resilience.  

Through a panel discussion and audience engagement, the session will demonstrate new collaborative opportunities for strengthening governance, policy coherence, regulatory instruments, and investment incentive structures to stimulate the urgent action needed for shared water security and climate resilience. 

The session will inspire collaboration and action. Session attendees will be empowered to increase cross-sector communication and build multi-sector programmes. Participants will also gain awareness of the three initiatives under the Just Transitions for Water Security programme and thus be able to access and engage with the resources and outcomes from the programme in the years ahead. 

The speakers in this session share a similar experience from their youth. Their education, just like this year’s World Water Week, focused specifically on peace and a sustainable future. Having developed their own paths in life, their case studies span a diverse array of sectors and perspectives, while maintaining a shared and central goal. Encompassing youth, experts, various cultures, and representatives from the public, private, and academic spheres, they showcase how many of us in the water sector, with our diversity, work towards a shared set of values. The results are the unique contributions and perspectives each stakeholder brings to the table. Through a blend of individual presentations and a dynamic panel discussion, "Uniting Streams" underlines the importance of collective action and mutual understanding in fostering water security and cooperation across all border. Cases: Fire and Water: Building Climate Resilience in the High Desert Environment Financing for Water Security and Drought Engineering Water Futures Sustainable Solutions from a School Born of Hope Navigating Waters: The Role of Law in Enhancing Transboundary Water Cooperation Waves of Change: Securing Clean Water for the Future of Kakuma Refugee Cam How research shapes impact – Lessons from East and Southern Africa

Water is a powerful tool for peacebuilding, yet political and environmental factors can complicate relations in transboundary waters. Stressors, such as increasing infrastructure development and shifts in geopolitical dynamics, interact and obfuscate pathways to build resilience and enhance cooperation. Will transboundary basins be resilient to change? Will they be able to deal with these stressors in a way that minimizes negative impacts on people, ecosystems, and countries, as well as preventing conflict over these resources? This question is important not only for the future of sustainable water resources management but also for cooperation and peace more broadly. We respond to this urgent question by identifying factors that shape conflict and cooperation dynamics over shared waters – from research and practice. This session convenes a diverse panel of academics and practitioners with global and basin-level perspectives on the sustainable use of water resources and building peace through transboundary water cooperation. Bridging science and policy, we investigate which factors prove to be particularly relevant for effective cooperation and reducing the potential for conflict – such as robust agreements and RBOs, good working relations, and healthy economies – and how these factors could underscore future directions for other shared basins towards water-based peace.

Companies are seeking clear and updated guidance related to selecting, implementing, accounting for and reporting effective water stewardship projects that meet the evolving water challenges landscape. This session will showcase forthcoming guidance on Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) 2.0 and Water Quality Benefit Accounting (WQBA) that can assist companies in developing more transformational solutions to pressing water challenges, consider the quantifiable multi-benefits of projects, and do their part in contributing to more resilient water resources for a peaceful and sustainable future. This session includes VWBA 2.0’s updated approaches and the new WQBA methods, case studies of these methods in practice, and invites panelists to share insights on the challenges and opportunities for applying these methods. The session allows participants to discuss next steps and linkages to cooperation, partnerships or collective action approaches. This discussion shares possible pathways to positive water outcomes beyond water volumes and quality including multi-benefits that help increase resilience, improve trust, and decrease risks for water conflict. Co-conveners include the project team (LimnoTech, Bluerisk, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, World Resources Institute) and corporate partners supporting these efforts will be invited (AB InBev, Amazon Web Services, Apple, Cargill, Coca-Cola, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Ecolab, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nestle, P&G, PepsiCo, and Starbucks).

Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater for later use. In countries of the Arab region such as Jordan and Lebanon, where a large portion of the population depends on agriculture and where water scarcity is a constant challenge, rainwater harvesting presents itself as a sustainable solution to augment dwindling water resources.

The objective of the session is to illustrate the viability of rainwater harvesting (RWH) in alleviating water scarcity for vulnerable communities, including the displaced and their hosts. The session will feature cases of rainwater harvesting from various contexts in the Arab region including a UN-Habitat led Adaptation Fund project in Lebanon and Jordan, a UNDP led and Government of Germany/KfW-funded project in Lebanon, and various FAO RWH projects in Jordan, in particular the recent first GCF funded project entitled  “Building resilience to cope with climate change in Jordan through improving water use efficiency in the agriculture sector (BRCCJ).” The session panellists will delve into the achieved water savings, financial and environmental implications, pairing with greywater treatment systems, challenges faced in implementing RWH systems, the development of incentive systems to upscale RWH activities, and suggestions for the sustainable maintenance (including the sustainable finance) of implemented systems.

With a thematic focus on "Data and Monitoring for Peace and Security," this session brings together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore critical topics shaping water governance. The discussion emphasizes the critical role of good data collection, cutting-edge technologies like remote sensing and AI, low-cost sensors and Citizen Science, and the strategic implementation of early warning systems. Furthermore, we highlight open-access data initiatives for cooperation. Key areas of focus include the significance of data accessibility in water resource management, innovative approaches to transboundary water cooperation, and the role of data-driven solutions in conflict prevention and resolution.

Through engaging presentations and panel discussions, participants will delve into success stories, challenges, and best practices that highlight the transformative potential of data-driven strategies in water management. This session serves as a catalyst for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and actionable insights aimed at enhancing global water security and resilience in the face of emerging challenges.

Conflicts around water management often exist because upstream actions cause downstream harm. Therefore, solutions also often require investment in areas and communities different from those receiving the benefits. This session shows how models and model-based tools are being used to foment cross-border water-management cooperation by illustrating the interconnectedness of watershed issues and solutions. We show options for using Nature-Based Solutions to help communities across the southeastern United States reduce flood risk, adapt to climate change, preserve biodiversity, and promote environmental justice. We review cross-border US State water management issues and the approaches, science, evaluation methods, and model-based tools used to solve them in Louisiana, which saw the first US climate refugees, and across the US Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic coasts, where climate change is affecting regional ecology, society, and economy. Finally, we explore the co-development process of working with communities, industries, and government partners to make practical use of complex data to create a common bond around solutions and discuss a broader holistic vision of using science to bridge borders to adapt to climate change globally, especially in data-poor regions of the world.

The science of water has tremendous potential for building cooperative and resilient futures among diverse stakeholders. Water science sheds light on challenges and potential solutions to resilient and sustainable water supply, food and energy security, and good health in the face of scarce resources, but science can’t be used if it isn’t specific to the problem at hand, transparent, and accessible. The process of creating shared understanding is itself a diplomatic act, and water science can be a tool for engagement, transparency, and shared understanding. This session will bring together practitioners and experts from diplomatic, science policy, and science translation organizations to discuss experience using water science for diplomacy. We plan to engage high-level officials from several countries to discuss technical capacity sharing to build trust. The panel following will include perspectives from both diplomacy and water science, including other ways diplomats have used science for engagement and benefited from open data sharing; how the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine convenes scientists and policymakers to build a strong scientific foundation for decision-making, and how the Global Water Security Center translates complex water science for operational use.

The trade of virtual water, or water embedded in goods or services, is expected to triple by the end of the century. In parts of the world where the production of agricultural or industrial commodities is out of sync with freshwater planetary boundaries, depleting and degrading the freshwater systems upon which local people and ecosystems depend, the trade of these goods to places of relative water abundance calls the environmental justice of this practice into question. However, from agricultural commodities to critical minerals, complex global supply chains make it difficult to understand how goods or services contribute to water insecurity and climate vulnerability around the world. Traceability and transparency along value chains are essential to improving how virtual water is managed, but data on both is currently limited. With this information, companies can proactively manage their water footprint, and improved trade standards and regulations can be brought to life. Join WRI,  Trase/SEI, Mars, Deltares and the Water Footprint Network to discuss the importance of shifting how virtual water is traced and managed, and to explore a roadmap for change.

Over the coming years, intensifying climate shocks will confront Afghan communities with extreme and unseasonal weather, increasing both water scarcity and the frequency of flash-flooding which in turn will exacerbate humanitarian needs, undermine livelihoods, fuel migration, and challenge essential service delivery. This panel discussion will unpack the severe water crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, its multifaceted impacts domestically and regionally, and the cooperative efforts required to address these challenges in what is a complex political environment following the August 2021 Taliban takeover. The session will highlight the cross-cutting impacts of water scarcity and climate change on the Afghan people, as well as the risks it presents to peace and stability. It will highlight the need for urgent action and engagement with the de facto authorities to avoid negative consequences. The session will also share experiences from collective actions among development agencies, donors, and international NGOs, including the launch of the Afghanistan Water Platform and ongoing community-based projects.

This session will provide information on the condition of and damage to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems connected to the Kakhovka Reservoir in southern Ukraine. A breach in the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Dam, caused by an explosion on June 6 2023, led to a massive flooding event in the southern Dnipro river and along the coast of the Black Sea causing significant damage to both human livelihoods and nature values. This breach also led to the dewatering of the reservoir, which was one of the largest artificial reservoirs in Europe, and had been the central element of the water system for southern Ukraine providing water for households, industry and agriculture. This was a uniquely tragic event with a major impact not only on nature, but also the economic and social development prospects for the entire region. In a session led jointly by researchers (Ukr, Swe) and civil society (Ukr) we will discuss the environmental consequences of the Kakhovka catastrophe. We will also discuss the restoration challenges related to this catastrophe, taking into account international experiences with rehabilitating ecosystems affected by dams. Finally, we will discuss how the international community can work with Ukraine, after the war, to restore these environments.

The USAID-funded Senegal Water Resources Management activity leverages climate resilience, not as a crosscutting theme or objective, but as a direct driver for inclusive development through collaborative stakeholder engagement. By building trust and collaboration between diverse local actors to apply technical solutions that bridge the border between the WASH, climate, livelihood, health, and agriculture sectors, the activity leverages a uniquely multi-disciplinary approach to transcend water and ecosystem security in the pursuit of strengthened human security. Amid tensions caused by transnational resource contention, a growing population, increasing rates of urbanization, and expanding agricultural production, Senegal's freshwater resources are also strained by sea level rise, temperature increases, and erratic rainfall. Participants will engage with a conflict sensitive, locally led approach to the challenges and opportunities Senegal faces through a gamified exercise in which small groups must work together to review physical artifacts and uncover evidence as they work toward a shared solution for water security. In the pursuit of answers, participants will adopt the persona of diverse local actors, each with competing interests. Together, the stakeholders must overcome their private motivations to build a water security improvement action plan that addresses the activity objectives in a sustainable and equitable manner.

The workshop will be run Roundtable-style, alternating between presentations, panel discussions, and open reflections from the audience. There will be two clear “units” covered: 1. Creating conditions for collective action, and 2. Scaling collective actions for basin-wide resilience.

Unit 1 introduces the principles, characteristics, and enabling conditions of collective action. It features a case study of the Women + Water Collaborative in India, highlighting lessons from the first collective action program aimed at improving clean water access. This initiative illustrates the first time companies from various sectors, including textiles and pharmaceuticals, have united to address a regional water crisis. An interactive panel with corporate members, moderated by WaterAid, will discuss the challenges of collective action. A roundtable will explore why companies hesitate to finance such efforts, addressing perceived and real obstacles.

Unit 2 examines the limitations of collective action in achieving basin-wide resilience and introduces a framework for scaling efforts to meet common targets. A panel of corporate leaders will discuss their experiences piloting this framework and integrating it into their water strategies. A roundtable will consider the alignment of stewardship ambitions with major basin coordination mechanisms, identifying new barriers and potential values for companies.

As the water demand grows, it poses challenges to the sustainability of current methods for managing, allocating, and sharing water resources, especially in developing countries. Lacking integration between water and other sectors may cause internal instability and conflict between different user groups. In contexts, where water resources are shared between two or more countries insufficient transboundary cooperation may lead to internal regional conflict.

Accordingly, it is essential to ensure the responsible management of water resources at the watershed level as well as in transboundary contexts to ensure a water secure future. Water Security thereby refers to the ability to ensure sustainable access to clean water sufficient for good living, economic development, and environmental protection. In this landscape, water security demands that scientists, innovators, and policymakers consider the needs of, and the stressors placed on water resources within and across countries. While some human activities have exacerbated the water crisis, humans have also developed technologies to better manage, allocate, and share water resources. This session will explore three examples of such technical solutions to addressing water management, allocation, and sharing to build stability and peace

The Southern African region is extremely vulnerable to drought and water scarcity. As droughts become more frequent and severe this raises the risk of famine and livelihoods loss, potentially fueling conflict and insecurity, with devastating impacts on the most vulnerable, particularly women.The Southern African Great Green Wall Initiative is facilitating multisectoral cooperation, resilience and development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region with the aim to build innovative and multisectoral partnerships to mobilize investments.Within this context, this session will delve into the work of SADC River Basin Organisations/Shared Watercourse Institutions in prioritising water management as an instrument for fostering peace through the implementation of their Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourses. Home to over 363 million individuals, SADC features fifteen major river basins and nearly 30 transboundary aquifers. These shared water resources necessitate collaborative efforts to address challenges, harness opportunities and build resilience to disasters such as drought.The session will present strategies and actions to sustain transboundary cooperation and enhance inclusion, particularly of women, in fostering peaceful coexistence and building drought resilience of communities dependent on land and water resources. The session will gather messages for the UNCCD COP16 in Riyad where drought resilience will be a key theme.

Join us in delving into the crucial role of governance in water and sanitation management. We'll examine three central pillars of water governance: policy framework, institutions, and processes. Drawing on experiences from Kenya and Ecuador, the session will explore how governance structures can adapt to dynamic socio-political landscapes, foster inclusivity, accountability and transparency, and promote sustainable water management practices. We'll discuss the importance of governance in building and maintaining trust among stakeholders involved in determining access, sustainability, and quality of water and sanitation services. By examining real-world examples and sharing best practices, participants will gain valuable insights into addressing complex water-related challenges through effective governance mechanisms. Whether you're a policymaker, practitioner, or researcher, this session offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of governance dynamics and explore innovative approaches to enhancing water security and resilience in diverse contexts. Join us as we navigate the intricate landscape of water and sanitation governance and chart a course towards more inclusive and sustainable water management practices.

We have only six years to achieve the SDGs, and yet only 17% of the SDG targets on track. 2.2 billion people around the world remain without access to safer water and sanitation services, and unless this changes, multiple other SDG targets will also be jeopardised. As urban populations grow and face rising inequalities, worsening climate impacts, forced displacement and continuing conflicts, the pursuit of equitable and sustainable urban development presents significant opportunities and challenges. WASH systems are a critical piece in in the pursuit of sustainable, resilient, and equitable urban development. Yet, these are not adequately prioritised in many parts of the world, nor integrated in urban planning, investments or governance. The focus of this dialogue between WaterAid and UN-Habitat, leaders in WASH and sustainable urban development, is on sharing experiences and strategies to prioritize and integrate WASH system investments into broader efforts towards sustainable urban development. The discussion will underscore the role of urban planning departments in harmonizing spatial and development plans with WASH service development plans. It will also emphasise the importance of multi-level governance and building effective partnerships between local and sub-national governments, water and sanitation service providers, national governments and international organisations including IFIs. We encourage participants from urban development, WASH, health, and climate sectors, including international and local development communities, governments, civil society, and the private sector, to engage and share their insights and experiences.

In 2023, seventeen of the world’s leading companies committed to piloting the newly launched SBTs for nature. As of February 2024, these companies identified their material impacts on nature, engaged local stakeholders to understand ecosystem conditions, and acquired in-depth data at the local level. By SIWI-WWW, some of these companies will have set targets to reduce freshwater and land impacts within involvement of local stakeholders and communities. The session will begin with a brief overview of the target-setting methodology with a focus on local data acquisition and community engagement. The session will include a "waterside chat" with participants in the target setting pilot to discuss their experiences with SBTN's methodologies. We will discuss: 

• Benefits and challenges to addressing nature in a company context. 
• Why they chose the SBT pathway. How they engaged local stakeholders. 
• What types of data are most useful, challenging to collect, or not available.

The session will conclude with an interactive audience Q&A, as well as a summary of recommended action steps and what’s next for SBTs for nature .

This session explores the complex interplay between climate change, water insecurity, and forced displacement, highlighting anticipatory action options (early warning and climate adaptation strategies) in communities hosting refugees and IDPs. Amidst growing climate variability, many countries worldwide are also facing the compounding stresses of supporting forcibly displaced populations.  Addressing these complex situations requires urgent near and long-term action. Aligned with the COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace, the session leverages the King Abdullah II Climate-Refugee Nexus Initiative (CRNI) to explore sustainable water management and the augmentation of resilience among hosting communities. We will immerse participants in a dynamic panel discussion, encouraging direct interaction and feedback from the audience utilising real-time polling and Q&A.  The session will connect lessons and learnings from government, humanitarian and development agency experiences in multiple countries, driving forward action on innovative and scalable solutions and the pivotal role that can be played by climate finance in supporting communities hosting refugees and displaced persons.

While there is much to celebrate in transboundary water cooperation, the pace of progress is not sufficient to achieve SDG 6.5 and other international targets.

• Less than 20 agreements have been signed in the last decade, several of which apply to watercourses with existing agreements. The area of shared waters covered by an agreement has only expanded marginally.

• The impact of agreements that have been signed has not been systematically assessed, so the degree to which a formal agreement reflects an improvement in cooperation requires confirmation.

• Conflictive events in shared waters are not subsiding

If the lofty objectives in SDG 6.5 are to be achieved, focus needs to be placed on both aspirational targets and practical problem solving. ?This session will focus on three keynote speeches that illustrate water cooperation is not as far as we would like on: Financing, Visibility, and Value. These points will be elaborated by a panel discussion focusing on how reliable financing, RBO visibility and value placed on basins can promote enhanced water cooperation. The session will finalize with practical recommendations and suggestions based on comments from the audience.

The disasters, both natural and manmade events and disturbances, in the world are increasing with impacting more people than ever before owing to the multi-layered social-ecological factors. The flood, drought, earthquake, landslide, sea level rise, salinity ingress, desertification, glacier melting, avalanche, heat wave, etc. are considered nature/climate induced disasters; and the war, communal violence, genocide, forced evacuation, epidemics, pandemics, etc. are considered manmade or socially constructed disasters. 

The social-ecological impacts of the disaster are reaching their extreme. The impacts indeed are more on the poor, vulnerable, marginalized communities. Further, the layers of class, literacy, caste, religion, color, belief, even physique and attire, and more influence the access to relief works. Adding to these, the women are disproportionately impacted physically and psychologically in the disasters besides, marginalized socially and politically in the relief works. 

The distress rises from the anxiety for and the lack/delay of access to water, food, shelter, livelihood, education, mobility, and more. The anxiety of displacement and hope for rehabilitation encompasses much of the anxiety, of which access to or of lack of water and basic everyday services act as stepping stones to relief or steeping anxiety respectively.

The session, ‘Water Anxiety and Security of Women in Disaster led Distresses’ focus is firstly, on the water related distress experienced by women (of all age groups) before, during and after the disaster; and simultaneously, on the resilience building process that women embody from the past and present experiences.

The session will discuss the project intent and implementation plan at different disaster struck areas that are chosen for intervention, which includes, Kalimpong in West Bengal India, Kackching in Manipur India, Jajarkot in Nepal, Satkhaira in Bangladesh.

A world with secure and sustainable access to WASH services for all requires mobilizing diverse yet interdependent stakeholders. This session delves into the critical challenge of attracting private capital into the WASH sector in developing markets, bringing together perspectives from those at the forefront of this effort. Moderated by Kanika Thankar from SIWI, the discussion will feature insights from Suresh K Krishna of Yunus Social Business, who will share his dual perspective as a social business promoter and fund manager, emphasizing the importance of balancing impact with returns. Carolina Latorre from WASTE will explore the role of technical assistance and innovative finance in creating an enabling environment for investment. Pamela Bundi from the Finish Mondial program will discuss the importance of leveraging local knowledge and South-to-South experiences to scale successful initiatives. Together, they will navigate the complexities of structuring sustainable investments that support SMEs in the WASH sector, aiming to catalyze positive change and significantly contribute to achieving SDG6. This session will provide a deeper understanding of market dynamics, risk mitigation strategies, and the role of private capital in driving sustainable impact.

Change opens-up new opportunities. The world is in a different place talking about ‘global water dynamics’ then at the time SIWI started. We are halfway the Water Action Decade, we still feel the dynamics of the past UN 2023 Water Conference and are excited about the upcoming 2026 and 2028 UN conferences. The WWF in Senegal and Indonesia delivered a high bar for the upcoming WWF in Riyad. And with the One Water Summit, the Global Commission on the Economics of Water and its report, and water more and more prominent on global and local agendas at COP’s with a water pavilion, and in the trilogy of conventions: Biodiversity, Climate and Desertification.

Now, with all the upcoming changes in Stockholm, it is time to reset the focus, the ambition and with that the capacity – institutionally, individually, and informally. Stockholm and Sweden have choice to make, we have a choice to make: to keep Stockholm center-staged in the water world, with a legacy and a future for water action, inspiration and convening.

If you care for the future of water, of SIWI and the enabling environment it can empower, join us for one of these lunch dialogues and help us think through the future of a strong convening capacity in Stockholm.  

Join Blue Peace Middle East for an insightful 90-minute session that will provide new insights into transboundary water cooperation in the Middle East. 

Our diverse panel, featuring high-level experts and youth ambassadors, will guide you through the complexities of and opportunities for regional water management, demonstrating how a holistic approach can foster cooperation and resilience.

What you'll gain:

• Insights into innovative strategies for building trust and cooperation across borders.
• Understanding of how diplomacy and trust-building enhance regional water security.
• Knowledge about the comprehensive Water Footprint Assessment and its implications for policy and decision making.
• Inspiration from real-world case studies of successful confidence-building measures.

Our speakers include representatives from Iraq, Jordan, Türkiye, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, alongside youth ambassadors from Lebanon and Syria, who will provide fresh perspectives on age-old challenges and reflect on the study's implications for their countries and regional cooperation.

Whether you're a policymaker, academic, or practitioner, you'll leave with new perspectives to influence water cooperation in your own context. No prior knowledge is required, but a background in international relations, water resource management, or environmental policy will enhance your experience.

By attending, you'll contribute to our mission of shifting from competition to collaboration in water management, directly supporting SDG targets 6.5 and 16.5. Join us in shaping a future where water unites rather than divides.

This session will explore the crucial intersection of proactive, anticipatory action and its contribution to longer-term preparedness strategies, with a focus on water security, to address climate-related mobility challenges. Drawing on case studies from Pakistan, Zambia and Uganda, the session will explore water management strategies, tools and approaches to enhance climate resilience between displaced populations/migrants, as well as hosting communities. 

The format, a blended expert-led panel and an interactive discussion, will foster an active dialogue between panellists and attendees. Panel experts will provide some fire-starting remarks in conversation with the moderator to make the case for how proactive, anticipatory action in the water sector can help address climate-related mobility challenges, showcasing actionable solutions from different contexts to this end. Participants will then be invited to join in the conversation in an ‘Experience Exchange' session, facilitated by the moderator, where they will be invited to share their take on specific challenges and solutions, with the goal of stimulating innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving. 

These insights will be synthesised into actionable recommendations in a concluding plenary, ensuring that the session not only fosters meaningful engagement but also drives practical outcomes to bolster resilience against climate change impacts.

In this session, we will share Novonesis’ approach towards water stewardship that is driven by science and our ambition to manage water in balance with local conditions at all our sites. We focus on optimizing our water consumption, while outside our operations, we work on water restoration in collaboration with external partners. We have successful projects and context-based cases that demonstrate our expertise and thought leadership on water management. Two will be presented at this session: a reduction of WASH risks via community led engagement in India; the development of nanofiltration and reverse osmosis solution that enabled production growth at a water constrained site in Denmark. We will present our approach in implementation of projects on complex water challenges and opportunities including how sites have been involved, along with our learnings, challenges, and future plans for our ambition.

Diverse initiatives from local to global levels demonstrate the utility of a water tenure perspective in assessing the relationships between people, communities, and their water resources and provide actionable guidance for safeguarding the rights of all legitimate water users, including vulnerable populations, as well as ecosystem needs, in support of the wider goals of inclusive development, food security, and climate resilience. This session will showcase the testimonies of Indigenous Peoples, highlighting their specific water tenure priorities and needs, as well as other local-level perspectives on the importance of a water tenure lens in water governance. Cases from Africa, Asia, and Latin America will illustrate how water tenure assessments, coupled with robust data on water balances, can shape more inclusive water policies and legislation recognizing local and customary tenure arrangements and identify shortcomings of current water governance systems in guaranteeing equitable and sustainable water for all. The session will also share new data unpacking the gender-disaggregated implications of the legislative land- and forest-water nexus in the context of community-based tenure across 35 countries. Furthermore, the session will touch on the challenges of corruption and integrity failures of water governance systems and how they can be included in water tenure assessments.

Exposed by Water Witness International (WWI) in the report ‘Towards Fair Water Footprints’, half of the water withdrawn from rivers and aquifers to supply the food, clothes and goods consumed by high-income economies is from unsustainable sources. When water is used unsustainably, supply chain operations and actions can cause water insecurity and exacerbate the water-related risks they, and other water users already face. In addition, CDP Data shows that more and more companies are reporting significant water-related risks in their supply chain, with the potential economic damage of US$77 billion. With the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), WWI and CDP, this session explores how the private sector can take act on their supply chains to advance water security and resilience in both their direct operations and for the communities they share water resources with. Drawing on AWS's and WWI's firsthand experience and insights and from CDP's data, the session will demonstrate the business case for supply chain action, best practices amongst the private sector, and how companies can begin the cascade of positive water impacts through collective action with their value chain.