World Water Week is annually observed across the globe during the last week of August with an aim to examine the pivotal role of water in addressing several pressing global challenges such as water crisis, global warming, biodiversity loss, and so on.
World Water Week 2023 takes place from 20-24 August 2023.
World Water Week 2022 was observed from 23 August – 1 September 2022
World Water Week 2021 was observed from 23-27 August 2021
- World Water Week is annually organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).
The Theme of World Water Week 2023 is “Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World”
- The theme aims to encourage people to rethink the ideas and innovations needed to manage water and explore solutions to water-related challenges globally.
Background:
i.World Water Week was initially started as the Stockholm Water Symposium in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden.
ii.In 2001, the Stockholm Water Symposium was officially renamed the World Water Week in Stockholm.
Significance:
i.World Water Week is also an important meeting place for policymakers and institutions to accelerate progress in international processes related to water, development, and climate.
ii.The World Water Week programme is co-created with leading international organizations to give access to the latest trends and insights from many different fields such as:
- Sessions on topics ranging from agriculture to city planning, and wastewater treatment.
- SIWI Scientific Seminars arranged by World Water Week’s Scientific Programme Committee on advancing both scientific and practical knowledge.
- Accelerators, which is a capacity-building programme run together with partner organizations
- Prize ceremonies.
2023 Events:
On World Water Week 2023, programmes full of sessions on topics like innovation, behavioural change, technology, and governance will be available both on-site in Stockholm or online.
1.SIWI High-Level Panel:
The High-Level Panel is a platform that will discuss the interlinkages between environmental degradation, climate change and peace. 2 annual stocktaking events gather world-leading experts on international policy and security.
i.High-Level Panel to Follow up on the UN 2023 Water Conference:
As a part of the World Water Week 2023, SIWI and the Government of the Netherlands organised a High-Level Panel on 22nd August 2023. This foscused on UN 2023 Water Conference and the recent High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
Awards:
During World Water Week, the SIWI honours outstanding water achievements and encourages innovative water-wise action by awarding prizes such as the Stockholm Water Prize to long-time water heroes and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize to young water champions of tomorrow.
Stockholm Water Prize 2023:
Professor Andrea Rinaldo, the world-renowned hydrologist from Venezia (Venice), Italy is awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2023 for his research on river networks, demonstrating their significance in the spread of solutes, aquatic species, and diseases.
About Stockholm Water Prize:
i.It is the world’s most prestigious water award often described as the Nobel Prize of water. It has been awarded to people and organisations for extraordinary water-related achievements since 1991.
ii.It is awarded by SIWI in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and presented by H.M King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who is the official patron of the Prize.
- The winner of the Stockholm Water Prize is announced every year usually in March in conjunction with World Water Day.
- A royal prize ceremony is held as part of World Water Week in August, where the Laureate plays an important role.
About Stockholm Junior Water Prize:
i.It is a competition for students aged 15 to 20 who have developed research projects that can help solve major water challenges.
ii.As a part of World Water Week, it has been held annually since 1997. The participants in the final round are winners from nationally-held competitions.
- The prize is awarded to the winning student or group of students by The Prize’s patron HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
- Since 2020, SIWI invite the public to vote for the People’s Choice Award each year, recognising the project they find the most inspiring.
Note: The winner of Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2023 is yet to be announced.
Related Observance:
The UN World Water Day coordinated by UN-Water is annually celebrated on 22nd March across the globe to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Water and Sanitation for all by 2030, as part of the 2030 Agenda.
About Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI):
Acting Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer– Karin Gardes
Headquarters– Stockholm, Sweden
Established in– 1991
