Part 3 of the series focuses on education, science, and diplomacy
Over the course of 2026, IWRA and UNESCO-IHP have convened experts from around the world in a webinar series to explore one of the most pressing priorities in global water governance: water cooperation.
As the international community prepares for the 2026 UN Water Conference, the series contributes to the Interactive Dialogue (d) on Water for Cooperation by sharing knowledge, showcasing achievements, and highlighting pathways for stronger action.
We are pleased to announce that Part 3, “The Role of Science in Fostering Water Cooperation,” is taking place on Thursday 2 July. This session focuses specifically on the roles education, science, and diplomacy can play in promoting and strengthening water cooperation.
The four-part webinar series, “Water Cooperation: Overcoming Challenges, Showcasing Achievements, Shaping the Future,” is organised by IWRA jointly with UNESCO-IHP within the framework of the UN-Water and in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the International Association for Water Law (AIDA), the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), the Geneva Water Hub, including other key partners.
The Role of Science in Fostering Water Cooperation
Thursday 2 July 2026
14:00-15:30 CEST
Why this matters
Recent studies highlight the importance of international scientific cooperation and education programmes in addressing increasingly complex and interconnected global challenges.
For instance, science can help turn cooperation into action. It provides the data, tools, and evidence needed for countries to monitor shared water resources, respond to changing conditions, and make informed decisions.
It also helps identify practical “win-win” solutions, from more efficient irrigation and wastewater reuse to coordinated planning across entire river basins.
Against this background, the webinar brings together experts to explore how education, open science, and science diplomacy can support more sustainable and evidence-based water management.
About the webinar series
The quarterly webinar series “Water Cooperation: Overcoming Challenges, Showcasing Achievements, Shaping the Future” comprises four interconnected sessions, each addressing a different dimension of water cooperation:
- Introduction to Water Cooperation: Why does it matter? (21 January 2026) – READ MORE
- Water Cooperation: Prevent and Reconcile Conflicts Between Competing Water Demands (15 April 2026) – READ MORE
- The Role of Science in Fostering Water Cooperation (2 July 2026)
- From Dialogue to Action: Enabling Transboundary Water Cooperation for Peace and Prosperity (TBD)
Together, the webinars trace a clear journey from foundational concepts to action-oriented discussions, drawing on real experiences and innovative insights to show how cooperation can be applied in practice across different contexts and scales.
Contributing to the 2026 UN Water Conference
The Water Cooperation webinar series is designed to make a meaningful contribution to preparations for the upcoming UN Water Conference. By building on shared understanding and grounding discussions in practical experience, the series seeks to generate momentum for more inclusive, informed, and effective approaches to water governance across all levels.
