In over 100 seminars, workshops and events spread throughout the week, over 2,600 participants have been meeting, discussing and debating the most pressing water challenges of our time under the thematic umbrella “Water Cooperation – Building Partnerships”.

This Week has brought together an unprecedented number of professionals Stockholm – world leaders, government representatives, scientists, members of the private sector and civil society. Every single one of them contributes to the work toward a water wise world.

As input to the United Nations General Assembly later this month, the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) presented the Stockholm Statement during the closing ceremony of the World Water Week in Stockholm. The Statement, a result of an open and inclusive consultation process before and during the Week, calls for a dedicated goal on water as the world body considers the post-2015 global development agenda.

With the close of the 2013 World Water Week, the sights are already set on 2014. Next year’s theme is “Water and Energy – Making the Link”. Speaking during the closing session, Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations and CEO of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative set the scene for next year’s deliberations by telling delegates that energy is inseparable from sustainable development.

Resources

• Full press release
• Live webcast of the Closing Ceremony

He spoke about the urgency in addressing the sanitation needs of billions of people around the world: “More than 2.5 billion people do not have adequate sanitation – more than one third of humanity. Of these one billion people practice open defecation. This is largely a function of poverty, with serious human consequences.”

Mr. Eliasson said that “we must continue to break taboos. As was the case for the word “toilets” a few years ago. It is time to incorporate “open defecation” in the political language and in the diplomatic discourse today.”

• Read the official opening press release
• Jan Eliasson’s full speech

The Opening Plenary will introduce the theme “Water Cooperation – Building Partnerships” aiming to inspire the 2013 World Water Week participants to jointly and creatively present and discuss issues related to water cooperation, explore the potential of forging global partnerships for trans-formative water initiatives and propose concrete suggestions for implementation. The Opening Plenary Session will bring forward experiences and suggestions on how cooperation can enable us to make decisions and reach goals for a water wise world.

By declaring 2013 the International Year of Water Cooperation, the United Nations General Assembly recognises the broad benefits of cooperation in the water domain for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. This UNESCO publication has brought together a broad range of water professionals and stakeholders to share their knowledge and experiences. The chapters in this book reflect the progress and challenges encountered in the fields of water management and cooperation around the world.

Water has rarely been the root of conflicts, but it can be an exacerbating factor where social and political tensions already exist. But while transboundary cooperation has often been difficult, experience has shown that sharing a resource as precious as water can be a catalyst for cooperation rather than conflicts. In his contribution, Dr. Jägerskog argues why developing approaches that balance interdependencies of transboundary waters is a matter of high importance. His article also shows how qualitative cooperation, joint management and open communication is critical adequate management is for successful transboundary management.

• Read the article ”Transboundary water management – why it is important and why it needs to be developed” directly

• Read the digital version of “Free Flow – Reaching Water Security Trough Cooperation”

The Press Kit serves to help journalists identify current water-related news stories to cover at the World Water Week or in general. The press kit also includes helpful logistical and press related information, such as a list of press events, launches and award ceremonies taking place at the 2013 World Water Week as well as high profile speakers, experts and officials attending the event.

The complete programme features over 100 exciting events, including thought-provoking seminars, scientific workshops, high level panel debates, fun social activities and much more. Download it now!

Also browse the Online Programme for the most up to date information about speakers, times and rooms. You can also plan and customise your personal schedule and add activities to your calendar with one simple click.

Organised by the Government of Tajikistan jointly with UN institutions as part of the International Year of Water Cooperation, the main objective of the Conference is to contribute to improvement of water cooperation, through advocating the successful policies and best practices, wider public participation, and encouragement of policy makers.

See the full programme and read more on the Conference website.

In this video, SIWI experts introduce the World Water Week in Stockholm and this year’s theme “Water Cooperation – Building Partnerships”.

Join thousands of decision-makers, international organisations, business leaders and practitioners that will gather in the Swedish capital to shape common solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges.

A warm welcome to Stockholm September 1-6!

The 2013 World Water Week report “Cooperation for a Water Wise World – Partnerships for Sustainable Development” is now available.

The report provides input into the discussions at the 2013 World Water Week in Stockholm, which is held under the theme of Water Cooperation: Building Partnerships. The report also explore emerging issues such as the role of information and communications technology in advancing water cooperation, the importance of climate mitigation and adaptation coherence and the interplay between actors in the water, food and energy nexus.

Read and download the report here.

The 2013 World Water Week Report “Cooperation for a Water Wise World – Partnerships for Sustainable Development” provides input into the discussions at the 2013 World Water Week in Stockholm, which is held under the theme of Water Cooperation: Building Partnerships. The editors of the report are Anders Jägerskog, Director, Knowledge Services, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI); Torkil Jønch Clausen, Chair, World Water Week Scientific Programme Committee, SIWI; Karin Lexén, Director, World Water Week & Prizes, SIWI; and Torgny Holmgren, Executive Director, SIWI.

The report focuses on some of the key opportunities and challenges to effective cooperation over transboundary waters; in the private sector and for environmental protection. The authors also explore emerging issues such as the role of information and communications technology in advancing water cooperation; the importance of climate mitigation and adaptation coherence; the interplay between actors in the water, food and energy ‘nexus’; as well as provide new insights to resolve long standing challenges, such as improving coordination and collaboration in the management of freshwater and coastal systems.

The chapters in this report do not necessarily represent the views of SIWI but are contributions from individuals and organisations to the theme of the 2013 World Water Week.