To the beginning of the section

8th World Water Forum Thematic Framework

The Thematic Process should adhere to some relevant linkages such as:

  • The overall theme of the 8th Forum “Sharing Water” and the Sustainability Process;
  • The SDGs with a dedicated goal and additional water related targets. and the Paris Climate Agreement;
  • The implementation Roadmap resulting from the 16 themes of the 7th Forum in Korea;
  • A full integration with the other processes for the 8th Forum.

Proposed Criteria are: a limited number of themes (6), supplemented by 3-4 cross-cutting issues; for each theme a number of topics, varying according to interest/need; for each topic a number of sessions, varying according to topic; themes/issues/topics linked to the implementation Roadmap as well as to SDGs water related goals; special Sessions could also be developed.

PROPOSED THEMES AND TOPICS

CLIMATE – WATER SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SDG links: SDG 13, SDG 11.5, COP 21-22, Sendai DRR Summit)

  1. Managing risk and uncertainty for resilience and disaster preparedness
  2. Water and adaptation to climate change
  3. Water and climate change mitigation
  4. Climate science and water management: the communication between science and decision/policy making


PEOPLE – WATER, SANITATION AND HEALTH

(SDG links: Water targets 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.B and SDG’s 1 and 3)

  1. Enough Safe Water for all
  2. Integrated Sanitation for all
  3. Water and Public Health
  4. Water and Cities


GROWTH – WATER FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION

(SDG links: Water target 6.4 and SDG’s 2, 7, 8, 11 and 12)

  1. Water, energy and food security nexus
  2. Inclusive and sustainable growth, water stewardship and industry
  3. Efficient use of surface water and ground water
  4. Infrastructure for sustainable water resource management and services


QUALITY – WATER QUALITY, WASTEWATER AND REUSE

(SDG links: Water target 6.3 and SDG’s 11 and 14, HABITAT 3)

  1. Ensuring water quality from ridge to reef
  2. The circular economy – reduce, reuse, recycle
  3. Treatment and reuse technology


ECOSYSTEMS – WATER AND ECOSYSTEMS

(SDG links: Water targets 6.3, 6.6 and SDG 15)

  1. Managing and restoring ecosystems for water services and biodiversity
  2. Natural and engineered hydrological systems
  3. Water and land use
  4. Ensuring sustainable withdrawals of water resources


GOVERNANCE – WATER GOVERNANCE

(SDG link: SDG’s 6 and 17)

  1. Economics and financing for innovative investments – IR 4.1
  2. Financing implementation of water-related SDGs and adaptation to climate change
  3. Finance for sustainable development – supporting water-friendly business


PROPOSED CROSS-CUTTING THEMES

SHARING – INVOLVING STAKEHOLDERS AT ALL LEVELS FOR SHARING WATER BENEFITS

(SDG link: Water target 6.b and SDG’s 3, 15 and 17)

  1. Replicating solutions and good practices
  2. Involving all sectors: public, private, civil society
  3. Bridging levels: bottom up and top down
  4. Collaborative Actions - empowering sustainable solutions by connecting multiple stakeholders
  5. Platform for sharing business solutions & creating links between initiatives and stakeholders
  6. Water cultures, justice and equity


CAPACITY – EDUCATION, CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

(SDG link: Water target 6.a and SDG’s 4 and 17)

  1. Enhancing Education and Capacity building
  2. Science & Technology
  3. ICT and monitoring
  4. International cooperation


FINANCING – IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS

(SDG link: Water target 6.5, SDG 17)

  1. Economics and Financing for innovative investments
  2. Implementation of water SDGs
  3. Financing for water infrastructure
  4. Financing adaption to climate change and to climatic extremes
  5. Finance for sustainable development – supporting water-friendly business


Source: Summary Report – 8th World Water Forum Kick-Off Meeting