Water for Life and a Sustainable Future at World Water Week 2024

The emphasis on collaborative efforts underscores the interconnectedness of communities and countries in addressing global water challenges.

Focus areas

World Water Week will feature a diverse range of sessions designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and promote innovative solutions. Participants can join 17 sessions led or co-hosted by the World Bank Group, as well as 9 additional seminar sessions. These discussions will cover a variety of topics, including:

• Focus on Africa: addressing the impacts of climate change on water and sanitation across the continent.
• Focus on Asia-Pacific: Research on key water topics relevant to the Asia region.
• Focus on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC): examining the main water challenges facing these regions.
• Focus on West Asia and North Africa (WANA): Discussion on governance approaches to manage water scarcity, which is exacerbated by climate change.
• Focus on First Nations: highlighting the perspectives and knowledge of indigenous peoples regarding water management.

Context and importance

The event is organized annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), which serves as a focal point for global water issues. World Water Week serves as an inclusive platform that draws individuals from various sectors, including businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations, all committed to using water as a catalyst for positive change. This year, collaboration with key partners such as the World Bank aims to enrich discussions and broaden participation, making it an important opportunity for networking and collaboration.

Main themes

The central theme of this year’s event will be water cooperation, which is crucial for promoting peace and security across multiple dimensions, including:

• Human security: ensuring that everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.
• Food and nutrition security: highlighting the role of water in agricultural productivity and food safety.
• Ecosystem security: protecting water-related ecosystems to conserve biodiversity and natural resources.
• Energy security: investigating the relationship between water resources and energy production.

Sessions

During World Water Week 2024, several sessions will be organized, including:

• Water diplomacy: discussions about resolving conflicts through diplomatic means, particularly in the context of increasing water scarcity and pollution.
• Cross-border cooperation: aimed at joint management of shared water resources to promote peace and cooperation.
• Food and nutrition security: analysis of the link between water management and food security, including its implications for conflict prevention.
• Innovation and resilience: exploring how innovation can boost economic development and improve water security, with an emphasis on private sector engagement.
• Governance: Investigate how effective governance structures can prevent conflicts and promote sustainable water management.

Opportunities for involvement

World Water Week 2024 will be a hybrid event, with participants able to register in person in Stockholm or online. This format is intended to facilitate broader participation and knowledge sharing among global stakeholders, including businesses, governments and NGOs.

The event serves as an important platform for networking, collaboration and the exchange of innovative ideas aimed at addressing the pressing challenges of water management in today’s world. With the involvement of key partners such as the World Bank, participants will have the opportunity to participate in 17 sessions led or co-hosted by the World Bank Group, along with 9 additional seminar sessions.

In summary, World Water Week 2024 promises to be an inclusive and action-oriented conference, providing an important space for discussions on water cooperation and its role in promoting a peaceful and sustainable future.

World Water Week 2024