World Water Week is the annual focal point for the globe’s water issues.

Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week is a unique opportunity for individuals around the world— from experts and decision-makers to young professionals—to discuss the world's most pressing water issues and identify promising solutions. In 2017, over 3,300 individuals and 380 convening organizations from 135 countries participated in the Week.

Join the conversation: #wwweek

WRI looks forward to attending and engaging in this year's World Water Week. Our staff will participate in the following events:

Sunday, August 26

An Action Agenda for Green Infrastructure

Green (or natural) infrastructure is increasingly recognized as critical to achieving water security, as well as multiple related SDGs. This event highlights an emerging multi-sectoral and collaborative initiative to develop and commit to a concrete, actionable blueprint to mainstream nature-base solutions, or green infrastructure, for water security. Learn more.

When: 09:00-10:30 CEST
Where: Room: NL 253
WRI Staff: Todd Gartner, Suzanne Ozment

Advancing water reforms through the Open Government Partnership

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) provides a targeted mechanism for bringing together government officials and civil society to create specific commitments that improve water service delivery. The seminar will focus on the need for a Community of Practice around water and open government. Learn more.

When: 11:00-12:30 CEST
Where: NL Music Hall (456)
WRI Staff: Elizabeth Moses

Introducing the Aqueduct Water Management Atlas

This session presents a novel method of collecting data on public water management by harmonizing and sharing corporate water risk information. The result, Aqueduct’s Water Management Atlas, will be a global geodatabase of public water management indicators providing actionable information to policymakers, water users, and investors. Learn more.

When: 12:00-12:45 CEST
Where: NL 353
WRI Staff: Paul Reig, Colin Strong

It saves to spend: global flood defense investment strategy evaluation

This event features a preview of a new global flood analyzer developed in partnership by WRI, IVM, Deltares, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, and the World Bank to quantify the annualized societal and economic cost of floods. The session will highlight how the tool is currently used to assess the physical feasibility of green infrastructure, and its potential to inform on hybrid green/gray infrastructure flood protection strategies in the future. Learn more.

When: 14:00-15:30 CEST
Where: NL 253
WRI Staff: Tianyi Luo, Samantha Kuzma

Monday, August 27

Rural Communities on the Move: Facing Water Scarcity and Migration

This event will bring together several partners to discuss opportunities that water related interventions offer to improve the resilience of rural communities that are most vulnerable and exposed to migration. The session will explore interventions for reducing water and food insecurity at community and national scales, thus reducing the urge to migrate. It will consider other factors and possible interventions such as peace and security, and equitable sharing of resources. Learn more.

When: 14:00-15:30 CEST
Where: FH 202
WRI Staff: Charles Iceland

Water and security: assessing risks and mitigation options in hotspots

Conveners will present what is known about multiple water and conflict pathways and present the first iteration of a global water and conflict early warning system, as well as a framework for assessing water and conflict issues at local levels. The audience will be invited to join roundtable discussions to explore mitigation options in transboundary and intra-national hotspots, and identify ways to strengthen cooperation and regional stability. Learn more.

When: 16:00-17:30 CEST
Where: NL Auditorium
WRI Staff: Liz Saccoccia

Tuesday, August 28

SEMINAR: Is there such thing as innovative financing for ecosystems management?

Agenda 2030 acknowledges that sustainable management of natural resources is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This seminar will include discussions about enabling environments and innovative mechanisms to scale up financing for ecosystem services, focusing on cases that are currently being implemented. Learn more.

When: 9-10:30 & 11:00 – 12:30 CEST
Where: FH 300 Agenda 2030
WRI Staff: Todd Gartner, Suzanne Ozment

Eye on LAC- Green-Gray Infrastructure: The Case for Investment

This event will promote dialogue among financial institutions, water sector, governments, and NGOs to clarify why and how to invest in natural infrastructure, and how to encourage investment through improved regulatory and institutional structures. Nature-based solutions to water challenges can complement, safeguard, and lower the cost of operating conventional water infrastructure and hydropower systems, while providing additional ecosystem services that enhance human well-being. Learn more.

When: 16:00-17:30 CEST
Where: FH Congress Hall A
WRI Staff: Suzanne Ozment, Todd Gartner

Wednesday, August 29

Understanding the Forest-Water Nexus: Redefining the Narrative?

Participants will discuss the prevailing narratives surrounding forests and water: the myths, complex truths and implications on practice and policy. It aims to bridge the divide between the water and forest sectors, and suggest ways to better integrate forests in water management and water in forest management. Learn more.

When: 11:00-12:30 CEST
Where: FH 307
WRI Staff: Todd Gartner

Thursday, August 30

P&G and partners identify priority regions... now what?

This showcase will introduce P&G’s new 2030 water goals and Water Risk Assessment Program. P&G and partner organizations will explore Risk Assessment results and collect audience input to develop a collaborative approach to address water challenges. Learn more.

When: 9:00-10:30 CEST
Where: NL 353
WRI Staff: Paul Reig

Water Stewardship Benefit Accounting: New Approaches and Lessons Learned

This event will present a new, robust, comprehensive, and comparable way to measure and quantify the benefits of investments in water stewardship. Panelists will present case study examples that demonstrate how the proposed methodology can complement standards, help contribute to meeting targets under SDG6, and reinforce the global benchmark for responsible water management. Learn more.

When: 11:00-12:30 CEST
Where: NL 353
WRI Staff: Paul Reig, Colin Strong

Parched Power: Water Challenges and Solutions for India's Power Sector

The power sector in India is very dependent on water and has been suffering from droughts and water shortages. This event will explore the water risks of India’s power sector, targeting governments and investors. The session will highlight how advancing cooling technology and shifting the power mix towards more solar PV and wind could help the sector’s dependence on water while sustaining growth in energy demand. Learn more.

When: 14:00-15:30 CEST
Where: NL 357
WRI Staff: Tianyi Luo

The evolution of water risk assessment

Participants will be invited to inform the future of water risk assessment by providing feedback on some of the world’s leading water risk tools. The session will also engage some of the leading environmental, social & governance (ESG) data providers to explain how water risk is being used to help shape financial markets. Learn more.

When: 16:00-17:30 CEST
Where: FH 202
WRI Staff: Paul Reig, Rutger Hofste, Samantha Kuzma, Tianyi Luo