Sustainable Water Security

Registration and Welcoming Reception

Opening of TRENDS’ Water Security Conference Side Exhibition

Water Security Intro video

Creative Show:

• Launching the Arabic Edition of “The Coming Storm: Why water will write the 21st century” Book by H.E. Sir Liam Fox
• Launching TRENDS Water Security Research Competition
• Launching TRENDS Water Security Youth Council

Opening Ceremony:

Welcoming Remarks & Keynote Address

Break

Book signing ceremony of Arabic Edition of “The Coming Storm: Why water will write the 21st century” by H.E. Sir Liam Fox at Trends Exhibiting booth.

Panel 1: Shaping the future of water security

Water security and the larger sustainability picture: implications for food systems, economies and societies

This panel is comprised of senior policy leaders who will draw on their experience to describe why water security is a vital national and global issue. Panelists will go beyond considering water security as an individual issue, and will define its scope, exploring and understanding the impacts of water risk in the context of economies, societies, food systems, agricultural sectors, and ecological environments. The panel ends with participants’ views on what ought to be the future direction of water security on both national and global levels.

Panel discussion: (75 minutes)

Panel 2: Transboundary water geopolitics – between conflict and cooperation

As major rivers around the world cross multiple borders, countries depend on their water for agriculture, economic activity, and national development. The ease with which upriver states can control water resources, however, means that transboundary water issues can cause geopolitical tension. Experts on this panel will explore how transboundary water issues have historically sparked conflicts, and conversely how conflict can be avoided through high levels of cooperation premised on fair and sustainable management of water resources.

Panel discussion: (75 minutes)

Lunch

TRENDS Youth Council Side Event at TRENDS Exhibiting booth.

Panel 3: Multilateralism and knowledge in the global water dialogue: the UN and the role of think tanks in promoting SDG 6

Multilateral diplomacy to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation – SDG 6 – is led by the UN and its agencies. Equally, the global cause of promoting SDG 6 can be facilitated by think tank activities such as convening stakeholder dialogues, leveraging partnerships with global research centers, developing technical and scientific knowledge, and supporting policy makers. Panelists will explore these and other synergies and develop recommendations on actions to support accelerating action on SDG 6.

Panel discussion: (75 minutes)

Recognition Ceremony for Sponsors and Exhibitors

End of day 1

Welcoming reception

Panel 4: The role of finance and investment in transforming water systems

This session is comprised of high-level practitioners in the finance and investment space ranging from the start-up ecosystem to corporates and major financial institutions. Drawing on their experience as sponsors of successful businesses, panelists will focus on ways, means, and best practices of harnessing the potential of finance and investment to transform water systems and ensure water sustainability and security.

Panel discussion: (75 minutes)

Panel 5: Technology and AI-driven approaches to future water sustainability & security

Innovation, science, and technology are the major levers through which future water sustainability will be ensured. Indeed, recent advances in technology – as well as the advent of AI – hold to the potential to create game-changing approaches to the challenge of water sustainability and security. This panel of experts will explore the most promising and cutting-edge technology and AI applications that may revolutionize the field.

Panel discussion: (75 minutes)

Coffee break

Trends Youth Council Side Event at Trends Exhibiting booth.

Panel 6: Resilience and adaptive capacity in national water systems: Global case studies on mitigating water risk

The focus of this panel is on showcasing case studies that have used specific policies, technology, cross-sector collaboration, strategic partnerships, and other innovative approaches to successfully mitigate water risk and water stress. Panelists will explain how projects and initiatives they were involved in were implemented to achieve real-world improvements to water sustainability and security.

Panel discussion: (75 minutes)

Closing remarks & recommendations

Lunch