Blitz Bureau
INDIA Water Week, which has established itself as a key platform for collaboration in water resource management, was held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 17 to 20. Organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the eighth edition of the prestigious international event was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu, alongside Union Minister CR Paatil and MoS Raj Bhushan Choudhary.
With participation from global water experts, Government leaders, and private-sector representatives, the event aimed to address the critical challenges of water management, foster innovation, and promote sustainable water practices.
The theme for India Water Week 2024 was ‘Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management’. It underscored the importance of cross-sectoral and international collaboration to address the 21st-century’s growing water challenges and the need for integrated efforts in water conservation, management, and equitable access to water resources.
An international forum
Since its inception in 2012, India Water Week has grown into a pivotal event in global water diplomacy, offering a platform for dialogue, innovation, and knowledge sharing. Each edition focuses on a specific water-related issue, providing policymakers, experts, and industry leaders the opportunity to present solutions and explore cooperative strategies.
In her inaugural address, President Murmu emphasised the importance of reducing water scarcity and ensuring sustainable access to water for all. She stressed the role of local communities in water conservation and management, drawing on India’s ancient water management practices.
She pointed to successful initiatives like the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, aimed at encouraging water conservation across the country. The President also called for a mass movement for water conservation, urging citizens to become ‘water warriors’ to address the growing crisis of water scarcity.
Conferences, exhibitions
The 2024 edition offered a dynamic mix of conferences, exhibitions, and study tours aimed at fostering dialogue on water-related challenges. Among the key sessions was the inaugural session and ministerial plenary in which the President, ministers and senior Government officials shared their vision and strategies for water management. In the Global Water Leaders’ Plenary, international experts discussed global water crises and potential solutions and in the Water Leaders’ Forum participants from the public and private sectors engaged in discussions on water management issues.
In the Country Forum, nations like Denmark, Israel, Australia, and Singapore presented their water-related innovations and experiences. The Practitioners’ Forum was a platform for Government and private-sector representatives to share best practices in water management. Besides, there was a convention, a startup forum and an exhibition that showcased state-of-the-art technologies from countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the UK, the USA, and several African nations.
WASH Conference
A key highlight of IWW 2024 was the International WASH Conference, organized by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. It focused on global collaboration in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), aiming to address pressing sanitation challenges and promote hygiene standards.
The three-day gathering, centered on the theme ‘Sustaining Rural Water Supply’, offered a platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing innovations, and sharing best practices aimed at addressing global WASH challenges, with a special focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). The event featured over 40 sessions, 143 offline paper presentations, 43 online paper presentations, and five panel discussions.
The conference concluded with significant outcomes and actionable insights. The event showcased India’s leadership in rural water management through initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission, while also emphasising the need for global partnerships, community-led solutions, and technology-driven innovations to tackle future water challenges.
Parallel exhibition
The India Water Week 2024 Exhibition, spanning 4,800 square meters, hosted 143 exhibitors from across the globe, who showcased cutting-edge water management technologies and solutions, focusing on sustainable practices and innovations in the sector.
The parallel-running exhibition was meant to provide an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their ingenious solutions that can help us achieve the dream of sustainable and equitable development with water. The exhibition also served an excellent occasion for groups to find prospective business partners and possible expansion opportunities. Apart from this, it was a unique opportunity for a brand-building exercise in the field of ‘Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management’.
The valedictory session of the IWW 2024, which was chaired by Jal Shakti Minister Paatil, witnessed the launch of ‘Bhu-neer’ portal for groundwater regulation and the release of critical publications on water resources and irrigation projects. Awards were also presented to exhibitors across four categories.
The event paved the way for a more sustainable and inclusive approach to water development through partnership, cooperation, and innovation, ensuring equitable access to water resources for all.
