Main page content

World Water Week 2018

26 August 2018 - 31 August 2018
Stockholm, Sweden

World Water Week is the annual focal point for the globe’s water issues. In 2018, World Water Week will address the theme “Water, ecosystems and human development.” adelphi will co-convene the seminar “Water and Security: Assessing Risks and Mitigation Options in Hotspots” on 27 August 2018.

In 2018, World Water Week will focus on the very basis of our existence: the ecosystems on which all life depends, and the critical role of water in their functions. Experts, practitioners, decision-makers, business innovators and young professionals from a range of sectors and countries come to Stockholm to network, exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions to the most pressing water-related challenges of today.

 

Thematic scope

The systems perspective – water and ecosystems from source to sea: Whether in rural or urban areas, in mountains or near the coast, we all live in river basins in which upstream developments affect downstream conditions. We need to understand and manage these river basins, and the ecosystems within them as one inter-dependent system.

The development perspective – balancing green and grey solutions: Nature-based solutions, and “green” investments, that take advantage of the natural systems and processes can create win-win situations that provide economic and societal benefits while maintaining ecosystem integrity or even improving environmental conditions.

The human and social perspective – a people’s agenda: Human health and well-being depend on how we manage and protect the natural systems around us. Respect for ecosystems values require understanding of their vital role in sustaining life and underpinning development. It particularly concerns human health, as communities caught in the poverty trap may be forced to use their natural resources base unsustainably.

The economic perspective – rethinking ecosystems values: In the spirit of a circular economy our approach to development and growth needs to be increasingly multi-facetted and green. Investments in infrastructure, whether built or natural, as well as payment for ecosystem services, must be based on a proper assessment of environmental and social ecosystem cost and benefits.

The governance perspective – towards integrated water and ecosystems management: While our ecosystems underpin all development, they also represent competing demands for water among the human needs for water supply, food, energy and other uses. Good water and ecosystem governance is at the heart of sustainable development.

Access here the full programme.

 

Seminar "Water and Security: Assessing Risks and Mitigation Options in Hotspots”

On 27 August 2018, adelphi will convene te seminar “Water and Security: Assessing Risks and Mitigation Options in Hotspots.” Details:

Monday, 27 August 2018

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

NL Auditorium

Moderated by Henk Ovink, Dutch Water Envoy

 

Programme

4:00 p.m. Welcome remarks -  Karin Roelofs ~ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands

4:05 p.m. Keynote I: Water-insecurity pathways and how to identify them -  Liz Saccoccia ~ World Resources Institute & Karen Meijer ~ Deltares

4:15 p.m. Keynote II: Addressing water insecurity: options for integrated engagement in hotspots -  Susanne Schmeier ~ IHE Delft & Benjamin Pohl ~ adelphi

Case studies

4:25 p.m. Round table discussions on the following cases:

  • Mali, moderated by Karounga Keita ~ Wetlands International
  • Jordan Valley, moderated by Sawsan Batarseh ~ WANA Institute
  • Central Asia, moderated by Iskander Abdullaev ~ CAREC, tbc
  • Lake Chad, moderated by Julia Dreher ~ German Foreign Office, tbc
  • Karachi, tbc

5:00 p.m. Panel discussion on the role of the 3D audience in water and security

  • William Rex ~ World Bank
  • NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, tbc
  • German Foreign Office, tbc
  • Joseph Bartel ~ Undersecretary Ministry of Environment and Forestry ~ South Sudan, tbc

5:25 p.m. Summary and wrap-up by moderator