The Role of Science Diplomacy in Water Supplies
Date/Time
March 21, 2025
10:30 - 13:00 CEST/CET
Venue: UNESCO Venice Office (Palazzo Zorzi, Castello 4930)
This event, in celebration of the World Water Day and the launch of the United Nations World Water Development Report, is organized jointly by UNESCO, the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK), the Central European Initiative (CEI), and the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM).
It will explore how science and diplomacy can foster sustainable and equitable solutions to global water issues. Water is a fundamental resource, vital for sustaining life and ensuring economic and social development. Inland water systems play a critical role in providing clean water for drinking, agriculture, and industry, while oceans and seas are essential for global climate stability and biodiversity. The fair distribution of water resources, particularly in the Global South, remains a pressing challenge, highlighting the need for international cooperation and scientific engagement in sustainable water management. Scientists, development experts and policy makers will discuss existing frameworks, models and best practices for effective science-policy interfaces, in addressing the critical challenges of the water sector. A key outcome of the event will be a white paper outlining recommendations for strengthening science-policy dialogues and providing actionable steps to advance water diplomacy.
Programme:
10:30 – 10:45
Welcome and Opening
Ms Magdalena Landry (UNESCO), Dr Christina Hainzl (UWK), Mr Alessandro Lombardo (CEI)
10:45 – 11:00
Presentation of “The United Nations World Water Development Report”
Dr Samuel Partey, UNESCO
11:00 – 11:30
Keynote
Dr László Balatonyi, UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP)
11:30 – 13:00
Round Table Discussion
Ms Sophia Beiter, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)
Dr Mounir Ghribi, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS)
Prof. Martin Kainz, Research Lab Aquatic Ecosystem Research and -Health (UWK)
Ms Iryna Makarenko, Black Sea Commission
Ms Birgit Vogel, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR)
Panelist tba, Ocean Space
Please register by clicking here.
For those unable to attend in person, the event will also be accessible online. Join us virtually here.
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