UNITAR Online Catalogue
5th Istanbul International Water Forum
People
Turkish Water Institute
Antecedentes
The 5th Istanbul International Water Forum (IIWF) will take place in Istanbul, Türkiye on 5–6 May 2026 under the theme “Strengthening Water Resilience: Innovation to Action.” The Forum will serve as a leading global platform for advancing dialogue on sustainable water management and will contribute to shaping the international water agenda ahead of key milestones, including the 2026 United Nations Water Conference and other major global water events.
Building on previous editions of IIWF, the Forum will continue to function as a high-level convening space that brings together governments, international organisations, academia, civil society, and the private sector. It will aim to strengthen cooperation and accelerate the translation of knowledge and innovation into practical, scalable solutions for global, regional, and national water challenges.
Objetivos del evento
The Forum will aim to:
– Strengthen global and regional cooperation on water resilience and sustainable water management;
– Promote the translation of scientific knowledge and innovation into actionable solutions;
– Support dialogue on integrated and cross-sectoral approaches to water challenges;
– Contribute to preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference and related global processes;
– Foster partnerships across academia, policy, civil society, and the private sector;
– Advance capacity development, education, and knowledge exchange on water-related issues;
– Highlight innovative approaches to financing, governance, and integrated water management.
Contenido y estructura
The Forum will be structured as a multi-day, high-level international event composed of plenary sessions, thematic panels, interactive discussions, and side events. It will convene senior decision-makers, technical experts, researchers, practitioners, and representatives from international organisations and civil society.
Key thematic areas will include:
– Water Dialogue for Resilience, focusing on cooperation, inclusivity, and capacity development in relation to the UN 2026 Water Conference;
– Finance Mobilisation and Innovation for Climate-Resilient Water Management, addressing investment models, de-risking instruments, and innovative financing approaches;
– One Water, One Health: Integrated Management of Risks, focusing on WASH systems, wastewater, and water-related disaster preparedness;
– Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus, exploring integrated and sustainable resource management approaches across sectors.
Across these themes, the Forum will emphasise the importance of bridging science, policy, and implementation, while promoting innovation, cross-sectoral collaboration, and inclusive governance.
Metodología
The Forum will adopt a multi-stakeholder, dialogue-driven methodology designed to foster knowledge exchange and policy-relevant discussions. It will combine high-level plenary interventions with thematic panels and interactive formats that encourage cross-sectoral engagement.
The methodological approach will include:
– High-level opening and plenary sessions to frame global and regional water priorities;
– Expert-led thematic panels to share evidence, innovation, and best practices;
– Interactive discussions to facilitate exchange between policymakers, researchers, and practitioners;
– Networking and partnership-building spaces to support collaboration across sectors;
– Contributions feeding into broader global processes, including the UN Water Conference and related international forums.
UNITAR’s engagement in the Forum will focus on knowledge exchange and capacity development, including participation in thematic discussions on water resilience, investment frameworks, and global capacity-building approaches through the Global Water Academy and CIFAL Global Network.
Público objetivo
The Forum will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders from the global water community, including:
– National and local government representatives;
– International organisations and UN entities;
– Academic and research institutions;
– Civil society organisations and community-based actors;
– Private sector stakeholders and financial institutions;
– Youth representatives and education-focused actors;
– Water practitioners, technical experts, and policy specialists.
This broad participation will ensure inclusive dialogue and the integration of diverse perspectives, with a shared focus on advancing water resilience and strengthening cooperation across regions and sectors.