The problems and challenges we are facing related to water, demand for accelerated action towards sustainable solutions. We need new solutions for new problems and challenges. We need new insights and knowledge. We need new cooperations between stakeholders. We need new ways of financing the solutions. We need an action agenda in response to all the upcoming changes related to the water sector.
Main theme AIWW2023
Therefore, we have chosen ‘Water in transition. Accelerate the action’ as our main theme for AIWW2023.
At AIWW 2023, we aim to inspire participants to get into action and to improve the impact of solutions. We are inspired by the Water Action Agenda of the UN 2023 Water Conference, which states[1] that ‘the emphasis should be on accelerated implementation and improved impact towards achieving SDG6 and other water-related goals and targets, looking at content, process and structure. The existing and future challenges in the field of water require innovative and transformative ideas and a “beyond business as usual” approach.’
Our challenges
Climate change results in more extreme weather conditions than previously thought could be real. The huge impact of climate change on all our activities and in all parts of the world is inevitable. From the developed world to the developing countries, everywhere the impact is huge. We need to adapt more rapidly and really have to learn from each other and work together. Solutions that come up in one part of the world, can be used in other parts of the world. Together we stand strong.
Other problems and challenges we face are related to our linear way of thinking and doing. Raw materials are becoming scarce, while waste has a value. We need to find circular solutions for our assets and systems. This should be the basis for a more sustainable way of living.
Another challenge is the decreasing biodiversity. Ecosystems should be restored and preserved. From the small ecosystems, to the larger ones. Also the water sector feels its own responsibility in this challenge. We see a shift from technical to more nature based solutions. And we are only beginning, to learn and implement these solutions in all areas of the world. We also need a toxic-free environment which is necessary to restore the natural balances and help the biodiversity.
Furthermore, the world is facing great geo-political tensions. These have great impact on the worldwide economy, on energy sources, on food distribution and on millions of people. We also see impact on the water sector. How can we deal with it?
During AIWW2023, we bring challenges and solutions for water together. We provide a platform for interaction, networking and inspiration on various important aspects of the water transition. We discuss solutions to adapt better and faster to the changes.
Subthemes AIWW2023
The main challenges of today have great impact on the work in the water sector. We have a responsibility to provide the world with solutions that are robust and sustainable. We have a responsibility for future generations.
These days, we noticethat delta technology and water technology are two sides of the same coin: we need water with a good quality in periods of drought, we need resilient water systems to deal with extreme rainfall as well as with drought. We see that the water systems have to be resilient for changing water quantities and for water quality.
To make out main theme actionable, we have extracted four subthemes for AIWW2023 :
- Improving water quality
- Resilient water systems
- Circular solutions: Reuse, Recover and Recycle
- Transitions in water, agro/food and energy
For each subtheme we are interested in:
- New (technological) solutions in practice
- Smart water solutions (digital)
- Nature based solutions
- Community engagement and stakeholder interaction
- Policy measures and agreements
- New ways for financing water projects
The main target groups for AIWW are cities, water utilities, industries, consultancy, science and governmental organizations. We invite people from these sectors to join AIWW2023 and inspire us with their experience.
Organize interaction, cooperation and action
AIWW2023 seeks to provide solutions and set an action agenda for the problems and challenges we are facing. Therefore, we need to:
- Understand the problems and challenges, with their root causes and interconnections with other fields
- Provide the sector with possible adaptive, integrated solutions, in which we learn from each other. Cooperate and collaborate between stakeholders, target groups and countries.
- Get into action and change. Accelerate (new) partnerships, cooperation and collaboration by working towards an action agenda, which will be settled in ‘Amsterdam Agreements’
