Join the Government of the Netherlands at World Water Week!
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As co-host of the UN 2023 Water Conference and official partner of World Water Week and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), the Government of the Netherlands is convening and co-convening several sessions and events in follow up to this unique watershed moment for the world.
The UN 2023 Water Conference closed with adopting the Water Action Agenda, a “milestone” action plan containing 800 commitments to protect “humanity’s most precious global common good”, water. The action agenda needs to accelerate change across all our sectors, industries and interests, uniting nations, stakeholders and professionals to help deliver on the water related goals and targets in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Water needs to remain at the heart of the global political agenda.
Looking forward to seeing you online or in Stockholm at various sessions, events and at the Netherlands Pavilion, a lively place to meet & greet Dutch and international water experts and share knowledge and expertise through presentations and discussions. This World Water Week, join us in keeping the momentum going for #WaterAction!
Scroll down for the Government of the Netherlands highlights from the programme.
High-Level Panel: Follow-up on the UN 2023 Water Conference
Tuesday 22 August Time: 09:00 - 10:30 Location: On-site (A1) and online
World Water Week plays an important role in driving collective action. For the sixth time, SIWI is organizing this high-level stocktaking moment and this year focus is on the UN 2023 Water Conference and the recent High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
We have invited global leaders and key stakeholders to discuss the commitments made so far and new attempts to speed up action.
Conveners: Government of the Netherlands, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)
Regional Innovations in Valuing Water
Monday 21 August Time: 11:00 - 12:30 Location: On-site (A3) and online
This session will build on the outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference with a particular focus on commitments made on valuing water within the context of the Water Action Agenda.
It will highlight the innovative elements to these commitments, examine what is needed to ensure effective rollout and implementation.
Conveners: Government of the Netherlands, Deltares, Global Water Partnership, International Water Management Institute
Read more
The UN 2023 Water Conference Talk Show: Keeping the momentum going
Tuesday 22 August Time: 14:00 - 14:40 Location: On-site (Talk shows, 27) and online
Last March, the world’s leaders and many different stakeholders from and beyond the water sector gathered in New York for the UN 2023 Water Conference. In this talk show we will discuss the results of the Conference, and talk about the follow-up of the Water Action Agenda and what is necessary to keep water on the global political agenda.
Conveners: Government of the Netherlands, Republic of Tajikistan, UN-Water
The UN 2023 Water Conference: From voluntary commitments to impact
Wednesday 23 August Time: 14:00 - 15:30 Location: On-site (A4) and online
Last March, the world’s leaders gathered in New York for the UN 2023 Water Conference. In this session, we will discuss the results of the Conference, and talk about the follow-up on the Water Action Agenda and what is necessary to keep water on the global political agenda: From voluntary commitments to impact.
Conveners: Government of the Netherlands, Republic of Tajikistan, UN-Water
Read more
Global Commission on the Economics of Water – Next Steps
Thursday 24 August Time: 14:00 - 15:30 Location: On-site (A2) and online
The session will debate preliminary findings of the GCEW shared at the UN 2023 Water Conference that illustrate the need to rethink the economics and governance of water to restore the Global Water Cycle. Who needs to do "what and "when" are key questions to be addressed during the session.
Conveners: Government of the Netherlands
Water Cooperation Innovations for Accelerated SDG 2030 Agenda Implementation
Sunday 20 August Time: 14:00 - 15:30 Location: On-site (A2) and online
The session puts focus on innovative water cooperation solutions to shared waters across sectors, stakeholders and scales. The session explores water cooperation preparedness of river basins and countries around the world. It addresses water cooperation gaps and opportunities globally, but with a special focus on Africa.
Convenors: Global Water Partnership, Government of Sweden, Government of the Netherlands, International Centre for Water Cooperation, Stockholm International Water Institute, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Uppsala University
Water in Business: From commitments to transformation
Monday 21 August Time: 16:00 - 16:30 Location: A1
As the private sector is responsible for the biggest water impact globally, improving water sustainability is impossible without engaged business leadership. Water in Business brings together different sectors of society in an open and frank dialogue that strives to inspire change through best practice and dialogue.
Convenors: Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), Government of the Netherlands
Youth engagement in global water processes: building an influential movement
Wednesday 23 August Time: 16:00 - 17:30 Location: On-site (C4) and online
Bringing together voices from various generations and countries, this session will identify the key impact and role of youth in the international spaces, from the 9th World Water Forum to the UN 2023 Water Conference and set a roadmap towards the 10th World Water Forum in Bali.
Convenors: International Secretariat for Water, Sanitation and Water for All, Wavemakers United, Valuing Water Secretariat, the Netherlands, International Association of students in Agricultural and related Sciences, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Swiss Water Partnership Youth, Water Youth Network, World Youth Parliament for Water
Is international water law ready to face future challenges?
Thursday 24 August Time: 11:00 - 12:30 Location: On-site (C1) and online
This session focuses on the challenges international water law (IWL) is facing – from climate change to increasing pressure on water resources and from influences of other legal regimes to declining multilateralism – and discusses responses to those. It aims at identifying innovative ways that can reform IWL.
Convenors: Global Environment Facility, Government of the Netherlands, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, International Union for Conservation of Nature, International Water Law Academy/University of Wuhan, Mekong River Commission, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
From World Water Week to COP28: Accelerating Water and Climate
Thursday 24 August Time: 11:00 - 12:30 Location: On-site & Online
This COP28 Presidency and SIWI-led public mobilization session will serve as a call to action for water outcomes at COP28. It will preview COP28 water outcomes, build momentum towards COP28 and lay the groundwork for the course correction needed to stay on track for our collective 2030 goals.
Convenors: UAE, Stockholm International Water Institute
Launch of the Heads of States Initiatives
Monday 21 August Time: 14:00 - 15:30 Closed Meeting, on invitation only.
The GoNL and partners UNICEF, SWA and IRC WASH are committed to support Heads of State or Governments to develop and implement Presidential Compacts which include water, sanitation and hygiene. At a high-level meeting during the UN Water Conference, several Heads of State committed to prioritize the water and sanitation sector and to achieve the water and sanitation goals (SDG 6.1 and 6.2).
During this meeting ministers and heads of government delegations will report on their Presidential Compacts.
Conveners: Government of the Netherlands, UNICEF, SWA and IRC WASH
Information and Network session on Heads of State Initiatives
Wednesday 23 August. Time: 10:00- 11:00 Location: Netherlands Pavilion in the expo area.
The GoNL and partners UNICEF, SWA and IRC WASH are kindly inviting all interested participants to join us at this information and network meeting. Representatives of countries working on Presidential WASH Compacts as well as representatives from partners will be present and will be happy to answer your questions related to the Heads of State Initiatives.