Dutch water sector’s contributions to Stockholm World Water Week 2025

Sunday, 24 August 2025

SIWI seminar (1/3): The role and value of the water cycle in climate resilience
Exploring the role of the hydrological cycle in climate resilience, highlighting how aquatic ecosystems support mitigation, adaptation, and community resilience.

Time: 09:00–10:00
Location: Online
Organised by: Wetlands International, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Speakers: David Ellison, Henk Ovink, Nureen Anisha, Max Finlayson, Maria Carreno Lindelien

Leveraging water for security and resilience: Tilting economies, shifting hydrologies
Exploring how water resilience can prioritize trade-offs between institutions and countries through economic, ecological, and social policies despite expanding political and financial uncertainty.

Time: 11:00–12:30
Location: A4, Level 6 and online
Organised by: Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, Government of the Netherlands, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
Speakers: Niels Vlaanderen, Sophie Tremolet, Harm Duel, Josefina Maestu, John Matthews

Bridging WASH political leadership and financial accountability 
A workshop demonstrating how WASH accounts can track financial flows, strengthen accountability among governments and partners, and accelerate progress toward SDG 6.

Time: 14:00–15:30
Location: Room 26, Level 2 
Organised by: IRC WASH, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office UK, Government of the Netherlands, Sanitation and Water for All, UNICEF, Water For People, WaterAid, World Health Organization
Speakers: Lesley Pories, Fiona Gore

Account, compensate and report your water story with the Water Footprint Assessment Method
Introducing the Water Footprint Assessment Method and new tool features to support compliance, compensation, and impactful water action.

Time: 16:00–16:30
Location: Netherlands Booth 
Organised by: Water Footprint Implementation
Speakers: Jaap Feil, Managing Partner

Monday, 25 August 2025

Combining chemical-free technologies and AI-based monitoring to manage surface water
The excessive growth of blue-green algae in Lough Neagh has posed significant threats to its ecosystem, biodiversity, and water quality. This session will demonstrate how a consortium is developing and implementing technologies, including an air screen, to remediate aquatic ecosystems in large reservoirs.

Time: 09:00–09:30
Location: Netherlands Booth 
Organised by: LG Sonic
Speaker: Lisa Brand, CTO at LG Sonic

Source-to-Sea Network & Partnership Exchange
An open networking opportunity for current, new, and interested Source-to-Sea Platform partners to connect, share ideas, and explore collaborative pathways.

Time: 09:30–10:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: IUCN / Deltares
Speakers: Maria Lindelien, James Dalton

Failing Forward: Reshaping the narrative in water and climate projects
This session reshapes discourse around failure in water and climate initiatives, creating a platform for reflective dialogue, sharing insights, and exploring systemic barriers to success.

Time: 11:00–11:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Netherlands Enterprise Agency and Deltares
Speakers: Dr. Shahnoor Hasan (Deltares) and Ir. Liliane Geerling (Partners for Water)

 

Supporting self-supply: A promising model to reach SDG 6.1 and other SDGs in rural Africa
Explores sustainable, low-cost household water solutions using SMARTechs to provide basic water services at scale in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

Time: 11:30–12:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: MetaMeta Research B.V.
Speakers: Henk Holtslag, Reinier Veldman, Ricky Phiri

CitiesWithWater Photo Competition – Finalists showcase
Presenting the 16 shortlisted entries that highlight how cities worldwide address the challenges of too little, too much, and too dirty water.

Time: 12:30–13:00
Location: Netherlands Booth 
Organised by: CitiesWithWater

Queering hierarchies in water (quiz)
An interactive quiz that challenges dominant hierarchies in the water sector and promotes inclusive approaches to water governance.

Time: 13:30–14:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
Speakers: Jeltsje Kemerink, Denise Vanzie
 

AHD Nadi filter safe drinking water solution for rural poor communities

Demonstrates the scalable Nadi filter solution providing clean drinking water to over 3.5 million people in rural Pakistan and Africa.

Time: 14:00–14:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Association for Humanitarian Development
Speaker: Mr. Abdul Khurshid Bhatti

Post-DANA Valencia: A Serious Game for Water Resilience
A serious game session where stakeholders co-design strategies for urban water resilience based on real-world disaster recovery scenarios.

Time: 14:00–15:30
Location: Room 24/25, Level 2
Organised by: Felixx

Water in Business I: Corporate water stewardship in a shifting global landscape
Part of a three-day series unpacking how EU regulations are reshaping corporate water accountability and positioning water at the heart of ESG disclosures and business resilience.

Time: 14:00–14:30
Location: Centre Stage, A1, Level 2 and online
Organised by: Government of the Netherlands, SIWI
Speakers: Pim Van Der Male, Joe Ray, Louise Ellis, Arati Davis

Water related trade-offs in the energy transition
Exploring the critical role of water in the energy transition, highlighting actions, best practices, and innovative solutions to balance climate goals with water needs.

Time: 14:00–15:30
Location: A2, Level 6 and online
Organised by: Government of the Netherlands, IPIECA, Royal HaskoningDHV, World Bank Group, World Wide Fund for Nature
Speakers: Bapon Fakhruddin, Meike van Ginneken, Albert Janssen, Joshua Wong, Lennart Silvis, Eva IJzermans

Engage with the Global Water Education Network!
Explores how water education and capacity building—through GWEN—can accelerate progress towards SDG 6.

Time: 14:30–15:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: IHE Delft, UNESCO, SIWI, Cap-Net

The Freshwater Challenge – Catalysing action for climate resilience
Showcasing country-led initiatives and multi-stakeholder engagement to accelerate freshwater ecosystem protection and restoration.

Time: 16:00–17:30
Location: A4, Level 6 and online
Organised by: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wetlands International, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), The Nature Conservancy
Speakers: James Dalton, Nicole Silk, Maira Bezerra, Christine Colvin, Paula Martinelli

Tuesday, 26 August 2025

High-level panel: Water's pathway in global processes
Exploring progress since the UN 2023 Water Conference on global water governance and the role of water in climate adaptation and mitigation ahead of the UN 2026 Water Conference.

Time: 09:00–10:30
Location: Centre Stage, A1, Level 4 and online
Organised by: Government of the Netherlands, SIWI
Speakers: Leah Jones-Crank, Helena Thybell, Helena Thybell, Yolanda Lopez-Maldonado, Miriam Haritz, Bruce Gordon, Johan Rockström, Veronica Manfredi, Meike van Ginneken, Maggie White, Arati Davis

Integrated monitoring solutions and Digital Twins for surface water management
Features advanced water quality monitoring technologies such as phosphate sensors and AI-based prediction models.

Time: 09:00–09:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: LG Sonic
Speaker: Lisa Brand

Measuring success: The multifaceted benefits of transboundary water cooperation
A workshop raising awareness on how to identify, measure, and communicate the often-overlooked benefits of transboundary water cooperation.

Time: 09:00–10:30
Location: Room 27, Level 2 
Organised by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Government of the Netherlands, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Mekong River Commission, Nile Basin Initiative, Oregon State University, The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission, World Bank Group
Speakers: Melissa McCracken, Miriam Seemann, Susanne Schmeier, Astrid Hillers, Anders Jagerskog, Niels Vlaanderen, Busadee Santipitaks, Birgit Vogel, Phera Ramoeli, Zoe Rosenblum

Best Practices Presentation at the Netherlands Booth
Showcases nature-based solutions from global case studies to address local water challenges through scalable models.

Time: 09:30–10:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Felixx
Speakers: Deborah Lambert, Eduardo Marin Salinas
 

“The only planet: Climate guide for the 21st century” (Book presentation)
Author Tim van Hattum presents Only Planet, a hopeful climate guide that offers nature-based pathways and inspiring solutions for a resilient and thriving future.

Time: 11:30–12:00
Location: Netherlands Booth 
Organised by: Wageningen University & Research, Tim van Hattum
Speakers: Tim van Hattum

Developing Climate-Resilient WASH Ecosystems in India and Bangladesh
Highlights Flood Resilient Toilet (FRT) innovations and microfinance-based recovery models in South Asia.

Time: 11:00–11:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: WASTE NL and FINISH Mondial Foundation

“The Only Planet” – Book Presentation
Presents a hopeful climate guide showcasing nature-based solutions and a vision for a climate-resilient Netherlands in 2120.

Time: 11:30–12:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Wageningen University & Research
Speaker: Tim van Hattum

Swimmable cities
Showcasing the growing Swimmable Cities alliance and its collective efforts to improve urban water environments, health, safety, and water quality.

Time: 13:00–13:30
Location: Netherlands Booth 
Organised by: Swimmable Cities alliance

Water in Business II: From targets to action
Part of a three-day series unpacking how EU regulations are reshaping corporate water accountability and positioning water at the heart of ESG disclosures and business resilience.

Time: 14:00–14:30
Location: Centre Stage, A1, Level 2 and online
Organised by: Government of the Netherlands, SIWI
Speakers: Allen Townsend, Shannon Quinn, Francisco Herrera, Arati Davis

Failing forward: Reshaping the narrative of water and climate projects 
A participatory workshop exploring failures in project-based water and climate interventions, fostering accountability and more inclusive approaches to adaptation.

Time: 14:00–15:30
Location: Room 26, Level 2 
Organised by: Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, Blue Deal consortia, Deltares, Government of the Netherlands
Speakers: Liliane Geerling, Anna Kummelstedt, Cristal Ange, Shahnoor Hasan

Creating the Enabling Environment for nature-based solutions
Discusses six enablers needed to mainstream nature-based solutions through a pre-competitive, collaborative approach.

Time: 14:00–14:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: EcoShape
Speaker: Petra Dankers

Water recycling greenhouse – revolutionising water use in agriculture
WASA Verde is introduced, a self-sustaining greenhouse integrating water recycling and solar energy.

Time: 14:30–15:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Aqua Solar Aria B.V.
Speakers: Elham Kashani, Taher Norouzi

Water-Food-Biodiversity for Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate
Discusses strategies developed by WUR aligned with global economic water governance and Dutch policy innovations

Time: 16:00–17:30
Location: Room A2, Level 6 and online
Organised by: Netherlands Water Partnership, Netherlands Food Partnership, and Wageningen University & Research

From crisis to continuity: Ending build-neglect-repair cycles in water infrastructure 
An interactive workshop on breaking the build-neglect-rebuild cycle by sharing challenges, solutions, and case studies for long-term water infrastructure management.

Time: 16:00–17:30
Location: Room 24/25, Level 2 
Organised by: Asian Development Bank, Blue Deal consortia, Government of the Netherlands, Partners for Water, WaterWorX, Water utilities and water authorities
Speakers: Anke Verheij, Liliane Geerling, Anjil Adhikari, Alidu Seidu Mahama, Eva Schreuder, Meike van Ginneken

Future vision for global water management: Embracing nature-based solutions 
A workshop exploring how countries can leverage nature-based solutions to enhance water resilience and sustainability by 2120, drawing on NL2120 and EU2120 studies.

Time: 16:00–17:30
Location: Room 26, Level 2 
Organised by: Government of the Netherlands, Wageningen University & Research, NL2120 consortium
Speakers: Arjan Budding, Tim van Hattum, Meike van Ginneken, Heleen van den Hombergh 

Taking the positive approach on nature-based solutions
Demonstrates successful nature-based solutionscase studies across urban, coastal, and agricultural domains to counter resistance and catalyse implementation.

Time: 16:00–16:30
Location: Room A2, Level 6
Organised by: Haskoning
Speaker: Petra Dankers

Wednesday, 27 August 2025

SIWI seminar (2/3): Biodiversity – The water cycle as a pillar of ecosystem health
Exploring how effective water management underpins biodiversity conservation, integrating indigenous knowledge, community-led practices, and innovative stewardship approaches.

Time: 09:00–10:30
Location: C4, Level 2 
Organised by: International Water Management Institute (IWMI), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wetlands International
Speakers: Danielle Courcelles, Tafue Lusama, Elyse Blondell

Unlocking finance for irrigation investment in Senegal
Explores how tools like IRRIS and CALAO bridge gaps between farmers and banks in Senegal to unlock financing for irrigation via digital decision-making support and trust-building

Time: 09:30–10:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Practica
Speaker: Berry van den Pol

Value creation in the water-biodiversity-food nexus
Showcases how sustainable agroforestry and WRAP-linked water roadmaps can enhance biodiversity and water security while enabling climate-resilient food production.

Time: 11:00–11:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, ADB
Speaker: Liliane Geerling

Wetlands restoration for climate action – Inspiring examples for upscaling 
A live talkshow exploring landscape-based approaches to wetlands restoration as tools for climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience, with lessons from West Africa.

Time: 11:00–11:20
Location: Talkshow Studio, Level 5 and online
Organised by: Wetlands International
Speakers: Kanika Groeneweg-Thakar, Flore Lafaye de Micheaux, Niharika Iyengar

Affordable portable solar pumps
Demonstrates how portable solar pumps help small-scale farmers double yields, diversify crops, and access domestic water—addressing both food security and water access.

Time: 11:30–12:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: MetaMeta Research B.V. and Jacana Zambia
Speakers: Ricky Phiri, Reinier Veldman, Henk Holtslag
 

Clean Clothes, Clean Planet: Join the Laundry Transformation Movement
Explores laundry as a hidden water and gender equity issue. The session introduces the Laundry Transformation Initiative focused on water-saving innovations, eco-detergents, and equity.

Time: 13:30–14:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: MetaMeta Research B.V.
Speakers: Tanya Huizer, Salma Enan
 

Stories of Growth and Impact: How Africa’s WASH Entrepreneurs Are Redefining What’s Possible
Highlights entrepreneurial journeys of African WASH innovators and how collaboration with Dutch partners scales social and environmental impact

Time: 14:00–14:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Amref Health Africa Netherlands
Speakers: Githinji Gitahi, Dick van Regteren

Water in Business III: From innovation to resilience, future-proofing business through water-smart innovation
Part of a three-day series unpacking how EU regulations are reshaping corporate water accountability and positioning water at the heart of ESG disclosures and business resilience.

Time: 14:00–14:30
Location: Centre Stage, A1, Level 2 and online
Organised by: Government of the Netherlands, SIWI
Speakers: Anton Earle, Kathleen McAllister, Bapon Fakhruddin, Arati Davis

Invest for impact! 
An interactive talkshow where African water entrepreneurship meets investment, showcasing how urgent water challenges can be turned into thriving businesses.

Time: 14:00–14:30
Location: Netherlands Booth 
Organised by: Amref Health Africa Netherlands
Speakers: Bernard Verburg, Kennedy Omwaka

Global Commission on the Economics of Water: The rippling effect
Reflecting on the impact of the GCEW’s landmark report and exploring how to govern the hydrological cycle as a global common good to drive systemic transformation.

Time: 14:00–15:30
Location: A2, Level 6 and online
Organised by: Government of the Netherlands, Global Commission on the Economics of Water, International Water Management Institute
Speakers: Henk Ovink, Kirsten James, Mark Smith, Bapon Fakhruddin, Pedro Arrojo Agudo, Maarten Gischler, Flore Lafaye de Micheaux, Hajar Yagkoubi

Landscape-based solutions for biocultural diversity
Examines traditional ecological knowledge and landscape stewardship to protect biocultural diversity and enhance water security

Time: 14:30–15:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: TU Delft and Fundación Herencia Ambiental Caribe
Speakers: Cristal Ange, Dr. Ir. Nico Tillie

SIWI seminar (3/3): Climate–biodiversity–water cycle agenda 2026 – Shaping the path forward
An interactive, intergenerational seminar to co-develop a strategic framework that aligns climate, biodiversity, and water priorities ahead of the 2026 UN Conference.

Time: 16:00–17:30
Location: Room 27, Level 2 
Organised by: International Water Management Institute (IWMI), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wetlands International
Speakers: Elyse Blondell, Musonda Mumba, Mark Smith, Shaima Gargash, Mohamed Diatta

From Warning to Action: Ensuring inclusive and sustainable Early Warning (12102)
This session focuses on inclusive, transboundary early warning systems and turning insights into practical early action, through co-creation with participants.

Time: 16:00–17:30
Location: Room C1, Level 2 (also online)
Organised by: Blue Deal, HKV Lijn in Water, Netherlands Red Cross, TAHMO, Deltares
Introduction: Eva Schreuder, Head of Water, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
 

Whose waters, whose rules? Unpacking leadership in landscape-based climate resilience strengthening
Discusses governance models for watershed management in Nepal and the interplay between administrative and landscape-level leadership for climate adaptation

Time: 16:00–16:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Oxfam Novib
Speakers: Anjil Adhikari, Katie Minderhoud

Creating Integrated and AI based defense system to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change on water and food systems
An inspiring event focused on creating a holistic, integrated, and AI-based defense system to mitigate and adapt to the growing impacts of climate change on global water and food systems.

Time: 16:30–17:00
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: Royal Eijkelkamp, Water Works
Speakers: Rasoul Mikkelsen, Royal Eijkelkamp, Stefania Giodini, Netherlands Redcross, Benjamin Filskov, Global Water Center, Gert Jan Maasdam, Water works

Thursday, 28 August 2025

Accelerating Climate Action: Cross-Sector Partnerships for Water Resilience
Examines the EU Water Resilience Strategy and showcases global case studies that integrate governance, finance, and nature-based solutions to scale water resilience

Time: 09:00–10:30
Location: Room C3, Level 2 and online
Organised by: Netherlands Water Partnership, Danish Water Forum, French Water Partnership, Japan Water Forum, Korea Water Forum, Northern Water Network, Swedish Water House, Swiss Water Partnership
 

Launch of the new 2025 edition of the Transboundary Aquifers of the World map
Presents the updated global map of Transboundary Aquifers, incorporating 44 new TBAs, 92 revisions, and enhanced metadata, contributing to science-policy dialogue in groundwater governance

Time: 11:00–11:30
Location: Netherlands Booth
Organised by: IGRAC and UNESCO

Elevating equality: Integrating human rights for strong WASH systems
A call and exploration for human rights principles – participation, accountability, equality, transparency, and sustainability – to be at the heart of WASH systems and climate action.

Time: 11:00–12:30
Location:  TBC
Organised by: Simavi, IRC, Malteser International, Agenda for Change, Make Rights Real, Sanitation and Water for All

Strengthening collaboration with countries and partners for resilient agrifood systems 
A talkshow presenting outcomes from the 2024 High-Level Rome Water Dialogue on WASAG, highlighting new commitments and partnerships to advance resilient agrifood systems.

Time: 12:00–13:00
Location: Talkshow Studio, Level 5 and online)
Organised by: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Government of Cabo Verde, Government of Italy, Government of the Netherlands, International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture, Women for Water Partnership, Dominican Republic – Tecnificacio Nacionale da Riego

Global hydrological cycle, a common good requiring systemic cooperation
Highlighting the Global Commission on the Economics of Water’s call to govern the hydrological cycle as a global common good, emphasising systemic water and land-use management and the need for multi-actor collaboration.

Time: 14:00–15:30
Location: A2, Level 6 and online
Organised by: Global Commission on the Economics of Water, Government of the Netherlands
Speakers: Henk Ovink, James Leten, Inga Mary-Jo Jacobs-Mata, Isaac Monjo Chavula, Yolanda Lopez-Maldonado, Walter Jehne, Stefan Uhlenbrook, Sonja Koeppel, Martin Kovác, Zach Weiss

Are you a Dutch organisation organising a presentation, panel discussion, side event, or networking activity during World Water Week 2025?
Dutchwatersector.com is pleased to support and promote the contributions of Dutch organisations to this important international event.

We kindly invite you to share the details of your activity, such as the title, date, time, location, involved partners, and a brief description, by sending them to info@dutchwatersector.com. 
Submitted activities will be reviewed, and selected sessions will be featured through Dutch water sector’s official communication channels.

By sharing your plans, you contribute to a strong and visible Dutch presence in Stockholm and help highlight the sector’s commitment to global water and climate solutions.