The UN 2023 Water Conference will be taking place 22-24 March 2023 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The purpose of the conference is to review progress on SDG 6, and to “collect commitments, pledges and actions, across all our sectors, industries and interests, uniting nations, stakeholders and professionals on actions that help deliver on the water actions included in the 2030 Agenda.” The conference will be made up of a series of plenaries, interactive dialogues, and 200 side events at the UN Headquarters in New York City and hundreds more at various offsite locations.
Outside of the UN Conference, the Dutch Government and the City of New York are organizing a full week of events starting from 18-24 March. New York Water Week (NYWW) aims to support and build momentum for UNWC by showcasing game-changing water actions and solutions from across the world through a series of in-person and virtual events. With flexible formats and an inclusive program, NYWW will feature events including film festivals, panels, plenaries, art shows, and workshops.
Water Action Agenda
One of the key outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference (UNWC) will be the development of the Water Action Agenda — the culmination of commitments, pledges, and actions across all sectors and interests that can help deliver on the water actions in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Emphasis is placed on accelerated implementation and improved impact towards achieving SDG 6 and other water-related goals and targets
All stakeholders are invited to submit voluntary commitments to the Agenda via the portal on the UN 2023 Water Conference website. This can be done in advance of the conference, or during official conference side events.
Participation and Full Event Programs
UNWC events within the UN Headquarters require advanced registration to participate and attend. The registration period closed in mid-February. Aside from on-site participation at the UN campus, many events will be simultaneously livestreamed for anyone to view. Additionally, many events taking place outside the UN campus do not require registration.
- The summarized UNWC program is available online here.
- The full side event program is available online here.
NYWW represents a hub for hundreds of independently-organized events. Each event has its own means of participating.
- For details on how to take part, refer to the event webpages linked in the full NYWW program — available online here.
Water Alliance Activities & Sessions in New York
Water Alliance and / or her members will be involved in several events and official sessions within and on the boundaries of the UNWC & NYWW. Below is a current list of events featuring Water Alliance in an co-organizing or speaking role. Please check back often as the list will be continuously updated.
Note that all times listed are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Sunday – 19th of March
World water film festival, Brave Blue World filmakers will show an exclusive preview of their new movie our Blue World which is being showcased at the very first World Water Film Festival, hosted by the Columbia Climate School and Columbia Water Center as part of NY Water Week.
Alongside showcasing exclusive footage from the upcoming film, we will be holding panel discussions, hosting a networking reception featuring recycled water beer tasting, a water sommelier and much more.
Tuesday – 21th of March – 17:00 -18:00
NFIA event
This roundtable brings together top representatives from the Dutch watertech network who will share opportunities and ideas to foster a resilient future.
Panel consists of:
Xylem – Maxwell Storto, Innovation Lead
Hydraloop – Sabine Stuiver, Co-founder
Water Alliance – Hein Molenkamp, Director
Invest in Holland Watertech – Reinder de Jong, Water Sector Specialist
Venue: The Water House 666 3rd Ave, 21st floor New York City
Thursday – 23rd of March – 17:00 – 18:15
Living Labs Session at UN Head Quarters together with Van Hall Larenstein and partners.
The side event will present living lab examples related to the crucial food-water nexus, focusing on low lying coastal regions and sandy islands, highly productive clay and peat-meadow areas. Other examples are related to the WaterCampus, a unique innovation ecosystem for water technology based in Leeuwarden. WaterCampus stimulates cooperation between (inter)national businesses, knowledge institutes and governments within the water technology sector, in order to create synergy for world class innovation, education and entrepreneurship.
Venue: UN Head Quarters, Side event, Event Room A, HQ126
Friday – 24th of March – 14.00 : 16.00
Tangible solutions for the practical implementation of circular water solutions – a global perspective on in-property water recycling session.
Sharing international lessons learned on the transition from linear to circular water management, comparing international standards for circular water, the need to adopt circular water solutions,as well as the importance of building water-sustainable homes and commercial real estate withon-site circular water technologies, and launching of the ‘Blueprint for a Circular Water SmartSociety’ with tangible solutions for the practical implementation of circular water technologies.
Session water re-use together with Water Alliance member Hydraloop at the Dutch Water House.
Venue: The Water House 666 3rd Ave, 21st floor New York City
Meet up with the Dutch Water Sector and discover the NWP programme here. We will keep you updated on what transpires via our socials before, during and after the event. Our team in New York:
Is your company active in the water sector, and would you like to showcase your innovation(s) to the international water world? Then participate in the New York Water Week (NYWW) from March 18 – 24. This stand-alone event is complementary to the United Nations 2023 Water Conference.
New York Water Week is a collaboration between the New York City government and the Netherlands. It showcases innovative water solutions from around the world. It also broadens the scope and impact of the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, which takes place from March 22 – 24.
The Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO) and Europe Enterprise Network (EEN) invite you to showcase your innovations and solutions in New York and contribute to the Water Action Agenda. Let’s inspire and be inspired.
The central themes of New York Water Week are:
Youth and education: empower those who can empower others;
Resilient cities: cities as centers for creative solutions and action;
Water Innovation and Business: Taking water seriously means putting words into action.
Further information:
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
