Stockholm World Water Week

The Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) is proud to be present again at World Water Week 2026 in Stockholm. It will co-host a dynamic session, uniting global experts, policymakers, and practitioners to address some of the most urgent water-related challenges of our time.

As a key platform for the Dutch water sector internationally, NWP and partners will bring a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to this year’s programme which focuses on climate action, cross-sector innovation, and sustainable development.

Inclusive basin partnerships transforming water security across regions

26 August 2026 | 09:00–10:30 | Room A2, Level 6, Stockholm Waterfront convention centre

Co-convened by Netherlands Water Partnership, DHI, French Water Partnership, French Youth Parliament for Water, Japan Water Forum, Northern Water Network, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Asia, Suntory, Yachiyo Engineering, and Water Risk Lab.

Achieving water security, climate resilience, and healthy ecosystems requires integrated river basin management and collective water stewardship that connect upstream and downstream interests, align policies across sectors, and engage diverse stakeholders in coordinated action. Through case studies from Africa, Asia, and Europe, this session will explore how multi-stakeholder partnerships, science-based decision-making, innovative financing, digital technologies, and inclusive governance can accelerate the adoption of basin-scale solutions.

What you'll learn:

Practical partnership models for integrated river basin management;
How cross-sector collaboration strengthens water security and resilience;
Innovative financing, governance, and digital solutions for basin management;
Lessons from successful river basin initiatives in Africa, Asia, and Europe;
Actionable approaches to scale integrated, source-to-sea water management.

How multi-stakeholder partnerships, science-based decision-making, innovative financing, digital technologies, and inclusive governance can help

Achieving water security, climate resilience, and healthy ecosystems requires integrated river basin management that connects upstream and downstream interests, aligns policies across sectors, and engages diverse stakeholders in collective action. This session will explore how multi-stakeholder partnerships, science-based decision-making, innovative financing, digital technologies, and inclusive governance can help overcome persistent barriers to basin-scale management.

Programme

Through case studies from Africa, Asia, and Europe, participants will examine different pathways for strengthening basin governance and collaboration.

Introduction
Yumiko Asayama, Chief Manager, NoWNET Secretariat c/o Japan Water Forum

Case presentations from Asia

1. From knowledge to collective action: Trusted regional networks for water governance, the lessons from the Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) and the Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network (MTT)

Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa, Partnership and Engagement for Impact Director, SEI Asia
Nhan Vo Tran Trung, Programme Manager, SEI Asia

2. From one basin to many: Scaling inclusive water stewardship beyond

Kumamoto Harumichi Seta, Senior General Manager, Climate & Nature Lead, Sustainability Management Division, Suntory Holdings Limited

3. From the headwaters of the Echi River to Lake Biwa: Treating a river basin as the unit of both life and finance

Hirohito Yoshida, Deputy General Manager, Sustainability Services Division, Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.

Case presentations from Europe

4. Structured youth engagement in transboundary water governance

Guillaume Février, Vice-President of the International Commission of the French Youth Parliament for Water (FYPW)

5. Danube case

Gergana Majercakova, Global Head, Knowledge, Innovation and Capacity Development, Global Water Partnership Organization (GWPO)

Case presentations from Africa
6. Water pricing for sustainable and inclusive growth (case: Awash river basin in Ethiopia)

Jacob Jan Vreugdenhil, Chief Program Offices, Woord & Daad

7. Digital solutions for transboundary water management and climate resilience: Transferable lessons and practical recommendations from the Nile Basin Initiative

Louise Heegaard, Partnerships and Funding Mobilization Expert, International Development, DHI
Nestor Niyonzima, Executive Director of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)

Panel discussion
Moderator: Rick Elmendorp, Director & Chair, Netherlands Water Partnership

Panelists:

Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa, Partnership and Engagement for Impact Director, SEI Asia
Nhan Vo Tran Trung, Programme Manager, SEI Asia
Harumichi Seta, Senior General Manager, Climate & Nature Lead, Sustainability Management Division, Suntory Holdings Limited
Hirohito Yoshida, Deputy General Manager, Sustainability Services Division, Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.
Guillaume Février, Vice-President of the International Commission of the French Youth Parliament for Water (FYPW)
Alex Simalabwi, CEO, GWPO
Gergana Majercakova, Global Head, Knowledge, Innovation and Capacity Development, GWPO
Jacob Jan Vreugdenhil, Chief Program Officer, Woord & Daad
Nestor Niyonzima, Executive Director of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)

Following the case presentations, a moderated panel discussion with interactive discussion with the audience will identify common challenges and practical solutions for scaling integrated basin management with multi-stakeholders across the sectors.

Why attend?

Support the vision of a just, equitable, and climate-resilient water future by advancing integrated river basin management as an operational framework linking water for people, planet, and prosperity;
Explore ways to break down silos and foster meaningful cooperation across sectors and regions;
Gain practical knowledge on building water-resilient systems through inclusive governance and finance innovation;
Engage with leading experts and global water partnerships shaping the future of integrated climate action.

Dutch water sector’s contributions to Stockholm World Water Week

Once again, the Dutch water sector is strongly represented at World Water Week 2026 in Stockholm. Throughout the week, a diverse range of Dutch organisations will host and participate in high-impact sessions addressing today’s pressing water and climate challenges. This dedicated page provides a comprehensive, preliminary overview of all Dutch-led sessions, highlighting where and how the Netherlands is contributing to the global dialogue.

Showcase your contribution at Stockholm World Water Week

Dutch organisations attending World Water Week are warmly invited to share their plans, activities, or sessions during the event. Whether you are organising presentations, networking moments, side events, or other engagements, we encourage you to send us the details (if your activity is not yet listed on www.dutchwatersector.com).

The submitted activities will be reviewed for potential publication and promotion on www.dutchwatersector.com, the international platform showcasing the expertise and impact of the Dutch water sector. NWP will also do its utmost to actively promote sessions and contributions from Dutch organisations throughout World Water Week.

By sharing your plans, you help strengthen the visibility of the Dutch water sector on a global stage and are part of a united, collaborative presence that highlights our shared commitment to addressing the world’s pressing water and climate challenges.

About NoWNET

This session is organised by the Netherlands Water Partnership and its partners in the Northern Water Network (NoWNET). NoWNET is a collaboration of national water partnerships and organisations from Northern Europe and Asia. The network aims to accelerate water resilience and climate adaptation by sharing knowledge, aligning strategies, and promoting joint action across borders. Through NoWNET, NWP works with like-minded partners to amplify collective impact and bridge North-South and South-South cooperation.

About World Water Week

Our attendance at World Water Week in Stockholm reflects NWP’s mission: to facilitate impactful partnerships, share Dutch expertise, and accelerate global progress towards resilient and inclusive water systems. With climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity becoming increasingly interconnected, our session offer timely insights and practical pathways for tackling these overlapping challenges.

World Water Week in Stockholm, held from 23-27 August 2026, is an annual conference on global water challenges that strongly emphasises collaboration between donors, NGOs, and development partners. Hosted by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), it serves as a key platform for shaping international water policy, advancing sustainable development goals, and driving collective action through cross-sector partnerships.

World Water Week 2026 will focus on how to build a more just and equitable water-secure future for people and the planet in a rapidly changing climate.

Join us in Stockholm this August to connect, learn, and collaborate towards climate-smart, water-secure futures. Together, we can bridge sectors, geographies, and ideas to drive real change!

Stay tuned on NWP’s website and social media channels for updates and registration details.