Background

Spurred by agreement in Rio+20 on “The Future We Want”, government water leaders in Asia and the Netherlands are searching for innovative solutions to secure their countries’ water futures and green their economies.

How to mainstream R&D to boost water productivity, conservation and reuse across sectors, reduce water footprints, clean up waterways, and create multifunctional and green infrastructure? How much space do rivers need? What makes communities more resilient, and water agencies more adaptive in the face of rapid changes? How can the corporate sector help governments manage for results?

To answer these and more questions, the 1st Asia–Netherlands Water Learning Week, with the theme “Making Smart Choices for Water Security and Green Growth,” will bring leaders together in dialogues and knowledge sharing on making smart choices for water security and green growth after Rio+20.

Organizers

This inaugural learning week is organized under the water knowledge partnership between the ADB and UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through ADB’s Water Financing Partnership Facility.

Participants

Water leaders from Asia and the Netherlands will be expected to engage with knowledge leaders from UNESCO-IHE and ADB, leading practitioners from central and local governments, the corporate sector, civil society, parliamentarians, and the media.