The World Water Forum is a large meeting and event that is organized by the World Water Council and a co-host city. It happens every three years.
Components
The forum has four main parts:
- The thematic program, which includes important talks and group discussions.
- The political process, which allows people to talk with elected leaders (such as local officials, lawmakers, and ministers) and leads to statements and promises.
- The regional process, which shares views on water from all parts of the world.
- The fair and expo, which gives a place for everyone involved to display their work.
Each part needs a lot of preparation that starts two years before the World Water Forum.
Earlier versions of the forum also included other activities, such as side events, a learning center, a children’s forum, a youth forum, a children’s education village, water and film events, and cultural performances.
World Water Council
The World Water Council (WWC), also called the Conseil Mondial de l'Eau (CME), is an international organization. It was created in 1996 and has its main office in Marseille, France. As of February 2020, the WWC has 358 members. These members include groups from the United Nations and other international organizations, companies in construction, engineering, and manufacturing, governments and their agencies, schools and universities, local governments, and groups that work for the public good. Founding groups and members include the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Water Association (IWA), AquaFed, Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux, United Nations agencies like UNDP and UNESCO, and the World Bank.
The WWC’s mission is to increase understanding of water issues, encourage leaders to take action, and help manage water resources in a way that protects the environment and benefits all living things.
Every three years, the WWC holds the World Water Forum with the help of the country that hosts the event. This is the largest international meeting about water. The 6th World Water Forum was in Marseille, France, in 2012. The 7th was in Daegu-Gyeongbuk, South Korea, in April 2015. The 8th took place in Brasilia, Brazil, from March 18 to 23, 2018, with the theme "Sharing Water." The 9th was in Dakar, Senegal, in March 2021. The 10th World Water Forum happened in Bali, Indonesia, in May 2024. Saudi Arabia received the flag of the World Water Forum at the closing ceremony in Bali on May 24, 2024, and will host the 11th Forum in 2027.
The WWC is mainly funded by membership fees. Additional support comes from the city of Marseille. Specific projects are funded by donations and grants from governments, international groups, and non-profit organizations.
As of February 2020, members are divided into five groups:
– Group 1: Intergovernmental organizations – 4%
– Group 2: Governments and government-supported groups – 22%
– Group 3: Business companies – 22%
– Group 4: Civil society groups – 22%
– Group 5: Schools, universities, and professional groups – 31%
Some people criticize the WWC for supporting the privatization of water. This is shown by the influence of financial institutions and large water companies. Tony Clarke, a Canadian activist, says the WWC hides the interests of companies that provide water. Medha Patkar, an Indian activist, spoke strongly against water privatization at the 2nd World Water Forum in The Hague in 2000.
History
The first World Water Forum, held after the World Water Council was created, took place in Marrakesh, Morocco, from March 21 to 23, 1997. It helped create a long-term plan for water, life, and the environment in the 21st century. Sessions included discussions on these topics.
The second World Water Forum was in The Hague, Netherlands, from March 17 to 22, 2000. It focused on the World Water Vision and how to manage water resources. Topics included water ownership, development, management, and how water affects poverty, society, and the environment. A declaration from world leaders identified key challenges: providing clean water, ensuring food supply, protecting ecosystems, sharing water, managing risks, valuing water, and governing water wisely. This event raised awareness about the global water crisis and encouraged action to solve these challenges. These challenges remain important today and need urgent solutions.
The third World Water Forum was in Kyoto, Shiga, and Osaka, Japan, from March 16 to 23, 2003. It brought together many people and groups from around the world. Discussions included goals set by the United Nations in New York (2000), Bonn (2001), and Johannesburg (2002). The forum had 351 sessions under 38 themes. A group called the "World Panel on Financing Water Infrastructure" shared ideas about how to fund water projects. New ideas included a Virtual Water Forum with online sessions and the Water Voices Project, which collected opinions from 27,000 people in 142 countries. A report listed over 3,000 local water actions. Indigenous people were invited to participate, recognizing their rights to water. Their involvement led to the Indigenous Peoples Kyoto Declaration, which focused on their right to manage their own water resources.
The fourth World Water Forum was in Mexico City, Mexico, from March 14 to 22, 2006. About 20,000 people from 140 countries attended 206 sessions. Over 1,600 local water actions were shared. Officials from 120 cities, 150 lawmakers, and 78 ministers participated. Nearly 1,400 journalists were present.
The fifth World Water Forum took place in Istanbul, Turkey, from March 16 to 22, 2009. Over 30,000 people from 182 countries attended. More than 400 organizations prepared over 100 sessions on six themes, seven regional reports, and five high-level panels. For the first time, leaders from countries met. A group of 250 lawmakers from around the world discussed water issues together. Local leaders created the Istanbul Water Consensus, a plan to adapt water services to new challenges. High-level panels discussed water disasters, sanitation, and the connection between water, food, and energy. A group focused on water and climate change shared recommendations with the United Nations.
A report called the Global Water Framework includes official outcomes from the forum, such as statements from leaders, ministers, and parliamentarians. Another report, Water at a Crossroads, summarizes key decisions and themes like climate change, water rights, and data availability. Protesters criticized the negative effects of dams and other issues.
The sixth World Water Forum was in Marseille, France, from March 12 to 17, 2012. Protesters criticized companies for treating water as a product and the effects of dams. The forum was criticized for not clearly recognizing the human right to water and sanitation, as the United Nations did in 2010.
The seventh World Water Forum, with the theme "Water for Our Future," was in Daegu–Gyeongbuk, South Korea, from April 12 to 17, 2015.
The eighth World Water Forum was in Brasília, Brazil, from March 18 to 23, 2018. This was the first forum in South America.
The ninth World Water Forum was originally planned for 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will take place in Dakar, Senegal, in 2022. The event will be held in person at the Abdou DIOUF International Conference Centre and Dakar Arena.
The tenth World Water Forum was in Bali, Indonesia, from May 18 to 25, 2024. It was the first forum in Southeast Asia. Events took place at the Bali International Convention Center, Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Bali Turtle Island Development, and Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park. Highlights included the launch of the International Tropical Seaweed Research Center, a joint Ministerial Declaration, and the "Bali Basin Action Champions Agenda," which includes new commitments to manage rivers and basins to meet global goals. This event was seen as a diplomatic success for Indonesia.
Prizes
Two water-related prizes were given at two World Water Forums in a row: the King Hassan II Great World Water Prize and the Kyoto World Water Grand Prize. At the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul, two more prizes were awarded: the Turkish Republic Prime Minister's Water Prize and the Compromiso México Water Prize.