Monday, 22 March 2021 | Online (Zoom) | Webinar no. 39

Celebrated each year on March 22nd, World Water Day brings celebrates water and raises awareness to of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water.  The theme of World Water Day 2021 was focused on “Valuing Water“.  Beyond the economic issues, this topic includes also the environmental, social and cultural value people place on water. With water resources facing increased pressure, understanding the many different and competing ways to value this unique resource becomes a key way to help equitably balance competing demands and interests, and reach sustainable responses worldwide today, and for many generations to come.

In preparation for these webinars, participants were invited to access the United Nations World Water Development Report 2021 to learn more about this topic.

Participation was free and open to all.  Audience questions were encouraged.

Part I

Topics (3pm – 4:30pm CET)

• • Valuing the landscape components that produce and deliver water

• • The multiple (and sometimes hidden) values of groundwater

• • Valuing water in Bangladesh

• • The value of water in the Ger areas of Ulaanbaatar

Distinguished Panellists (3pm – 4:30pm CET)

• • Nomundari Erdene, Asia Pacific Regional Ambassador, Water Science Policy

• • Graham Jewitt, Honorary Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

• • Anita Milman, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States

• • Sayef Tanzeem Qayyum, Bangladesh Country Coordinator, 2030 Water Resources Group

Presented by Scott McKenzie, PhD Candidate, University of British Columbia.

Part II

Topics (9am – 10:30am CET)

• • Valuing water in history from old wells, modern dams to future coastal reservoirs

• • Experiences in valuing water in Bangladesh: Lessons learned and future applications

• • Valuing groundwater: study on zones classification, management and control methods based on groundwater functions in China

• • Flood damage assessment: An Italian experience

• • Honoring relationships with water

Distinguished Panellists (9am – 10:30am CET)

• • Francesco Ballio, Professor, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

• • David Hebart-Coleman, Programme Manager, Water Resources, SIWI

• • Jennifer Moeller-Gulland, Water Risk Expert, World Bank Group

• • Shuqing Yang, Executive Secretary, International Association for Coastal Reservoir Research, Australia

• • Lili Yu, Deputy Division Chief & Professor Level Senior Engineer, General Institute of Hydropower and Water Resources Planning and Design, Ministry of Water Resources, China

Presented by Scott McKenzie, PhD Candidate, University of British Columbia.

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IWRA Webinars constitute an additional resource designed to help our members, academics, dedicated practitioners, and policy professionals further explore these and other timely themes engaging in fruitful discussions, also aligned with the international water agenda and in close collaboration with key partners.