2015 World Water Week Programme

Welcome to 2015 World Water Weekin StockholmPhoto: Thomas HenriksonOn behalf of Stockholm International Water Institute, it ismy pleasure to welcome you to the 25th World Water Weekin Stockholm!This year marks a milestone in World Water Week’s development.In 1991, the first Stockholm Water Symposium was heldfor a few hundred dedicated scientists and researchers. It hasgrown into the world’s most important annual water meeting,attracting a record 3,400 participants from over 140 countriesin 2014. We are eager to build on that success, and this yearoffer our most ambitious programme yet, with a new formatfor sessions that cover current topics such as the SDGs, developmentfinancing, integrity, gender, sanitation, climate change,and energy. To frame the sessions, and the scientific core of theconference, the workshops, we offer several opportunities tostay in the loop: don’t miss the vision speakers at 08:30 everymorning, the podcasts from the SIWI Sofa, or the Daily Splashwith the junior rapporteurs. If you spend your day immersedin discussion and debate, be sure to read up on the buzz of theconference in the World Water Week Daily, published everymorning in print and electronically, or watch the live streamon the SIWI Media Hub.The Silver Jubilee, which concerns not only World WaterWeek but also the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize, will bemarked with special events, exhibitions and online campaignscelebrating water.Browse through this programme, or the online version atwww.worldwaterweek.org/programmefor more information, inspiration and to plan your week.Before this year is over, some big decisions need to be made.In September, UN member states will decide on SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs) to steer global development effortsin the decades to come, and in December, at COP21 in Paris,a new climate deal will hopefully be agreed. One of the SDGswill most likely be dedicated to water, and it is essential thatwe work for an efficient implementation of that goal. In theclimate negotiations, we believe that water needs to be at thecentre of the discussions as climate change mainly manifeststhrough water, either too much or too little.I hope you will take the opportunity to discuss these issues,and more, here in Stockholm. We want to believe that we havecreated the best possible platform for a stimulating exchange ofideas between policy makers and practitioners, scientists, civilsociety, and the private sector.But the week is not only work. We offer several social events,including the Royal Banquet and the always popular Mingle& Dance! With the Week moved back into central Stockholm,you will also have the beautiful quays of Stockholm withineasy reach.As always, a warm welcome to Stockholm!Mr Torgny HolmgrenExecutive DirectorStockholm International Water InstituteCover photo: iStock.Design: Elin Ingblom, SIWI.This programme is published by the StockholmInternational Water Institute and printed by Molind,Sweden. The printing process has been certified accordingto the Nordic Swan label for environmental quality.2 2015 World Water Week: Water for Development