The IWRA is running a webinar series focused on one of the most pressing challenges in global water governance: water cooperation.

As underscored in the United Nations World Water Development Report 2023, “nearly every water-related intervention involves some kind of cooperation.” From local water supply systems to transboundary river basins, collaboration underpins sustainable, equitable, and peaceful water management.

Water cooperation has gained growing international attention in recent years. It was a central theme at the UN 2023 Water Conference and will feature prominently on the global stage at the UN Water Conference in December 2026.

Against this backdrop, the IWRA’s webinar series will provide a timely platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and practical insights on advancing cooperation across  scales, sectors,  and borders.

The series is organised by IWRA jointly with UNESCO-IHP within the framework of UN-Water and in collaboration with UNECE, FAO, AIDA, IAH, SIWI, the Geneva Water Hub, including other key partners.

About the webinar series

The IWRA quarterly webinar series “Water Cooperation: Overcoming Challenges, Showcasing Achievements, Shaping the Future” comprises four interconnected sessions, each addressing a different dimension of water cooperation:

1. Introduction to Water Cooperation: Why Does it Matter? (21 January 2026) – Read more
   
2. Water Cooperation: Prevent and Reconcile Conflicts Between Competing Water Demands (15 April 2026) – Read more
   
3. The Role of Science in Fostering Water Cooperation (2 July 2026) – Read more
4. From Dialogue to Action: Enabling Transboundary Water Cooperation for Peace and Prosperity (5 November 2026) – Read more

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

IWRA’s 2026 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.