Brussels - Stockholm: Europe and the Arabs
The European Commission in Brussels announced that it will participate in the official launch of World Water Week today in Sweden. Commissioner Jessica Roswall, responsible for the environment, water resilience, and the competitive circular economy, will deliver a keynote address at the official opening of the event today, Monday, which will begin at 11:00 a.m. Stockholm time.
World Water Week 2025 will take place from August 24 to 28, bringing together water experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the world, both in Stockholm, Sweden, and online. This year's theme is "Water for Climate Action," reflecting the urgent need to address the interconnected challenges of water security and climate change. The event will focus on addressing the emergencies linked to climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, with a focus on mitigation and adaptation, alongside the broader goal of strengthening resilience. Regarding the most prominent topics up for discussion today, the official website of the event states that the first session will be titled "Rewriting the Playbook: Water Companies Negotiate Better Climate Finance," followed by an in-person discussion session at the event venue titled "Climate-Smart Urban Planning to Address Water Scarcity in Arab Cities." Other sessions will discuss various issues, including "Stimulating Demand: Market Solutions, Sanitation Planning, and Climate Resilience," and another on "Focus on the Americas in World Water Week 2025," as well as "Increasing Climate Change Adaptation through Integrating Mitigation and Adaptation Planning." Then, the SIWI Seminar (1/3): "Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change through Sanitation Systems," as well as the topic of "Tide Rise," "Thriving Cities: Water, Equity, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Adaptation," along with a discussion of the "Valencia After Dana: A Serious Mission to Enhance Climate Change Adaptation." The SIWI Seminar (1/3): "Following the Outcomes of the Global Water and Climate Conferences," followed by a discussion on "Value Creation in the Water, Biodiversity, and Food Nexus," as well as the "First and Third" file. Water and Disasters: From Glaciers to Seas, alongside the Water Trade-offs in the Energy Transition, as well as the Water in Business 1: Corporate Water Management in a Changing Global Landscape, alongside the Blended Humanitarian Water Financing: Beyond Grants for Sustainable Impact, followed by a discussion on Water in Communications 1: Water in Climate Talks: Who Speaks for West Asia and North Africa? The Bridging the Gap: Water Leadership for a Resilient Future, and the Changing Tides: The Past, Present, and Future of UK Climate Resilience, Communities and Partnerships for Sustainable Urban Systems, followed by a discussion on Shark Tank: Investing in Climate-Resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Innovations, an interactive presentation, alongside the SIWI Symposium (2/3): Strategic Water and Climate Actions within Planetary Boundaries, alongside a discussion on the Freshwater Challenge - Catalyzing Action for Climate Change Adaptation, followed by a discussion on Water Diplomacy to the Rescue? Addressing shared climate-related security risks, alongside the SIWI Seminar (1/3): The Role of Water in Decarbonizing Global Energy Systems, will be followed online by a discussion of the Water Access Impact Tool - A Practical Session. Participants will then attend a discussion session on Combining Chemical-Free Technologies and AI-Based Monitoring for Surface Water Management, as well as Drought Resilience: From National Planning to Implementation. Building climate resilience in global supply chains through integrated water resources management will be discussed online, followed by an in-person session on Improving Water Access through AI Solutions.
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) organizes and leads World Water Week, a week-long global conference held annually since 1991. In 2023, approximately 1,500 participants attended the conference, both in person and online, bringing together representatives from business, government, water management, and science to address some of the world's most pressing water challenges.
The week also features the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize Award ceremony, presented by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.