Strengthening Scientific Water Cooperation and Diplomacy through Youth Involvement towards the 2026 UN Water Conference

Water cooperation is fundamental to building peace and advancing sustainable development, yet transboundary water governance remains uneven. Only 43 of the 153 countries sharing transboundary rivers, lakes and aquifers have operational arrangements covering at least 90% of their shared waters. At the same time, climate change, disasters, growing irrigation demand and increasing pressure on water resources are making effective cooperation more important than ever.

This webinar forms part of the Global Youth Movement for Water & UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY) Capacity Development Series towards the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, equipping young people with the knowledge and tools needed to contribute to global water action.

Focusing on Water for Cooperation, the webinar will explore current challenges and opportunities in transboundary water cooperation and diplomacy, including the evolution of these concepts, progress under SDG indicator 6.5.2, scientific cooperation, basin-level experiences and inclusive approaches to shared water governance.

Bringing together international experts, policymakers, practitioners and young water leaders, the session will examine how cooperation and diplomacy can support peace, sustainable development and climate resilience. Particular attention will be given to the contributions of young people, women and Indigenous Peoples, and to the importance of strengthening their meaningful participation in water governance and international processes.

The webinar will also explore perspectives and recommendations towards the 2026 United Nations Water Conference and Interactive Dialogue 4: Water for Cooperation. Discussions and recommendations emerging from the session will contribute to the Youth Position Statement of the Global Youth Movement for Water, helping ensure that young people's perspectives inform global water cooperation and action before, during and beyond the Conference.

Please note: the event will be hosted in English, with no translation available. Participation is free of charge, and no certificate will be provided.

• 1st webinar: Introduction to the 2026 UN Water Conference and the Global Youth Movement for Water
• 2nd webinar: Water for Planet: Nature-based Solutions to Protect Aquatic Ecosystems
• 3rd webinar: Water for Prosperity: Empowering Youth, Shaping Prosperity Through Water
• 4th webinar: Water for Finance: Youth dialogue on Investments, Financing, Innovation and Impact
• 5th webinar: Water for People: Advancing Equitable Access to Water and Sanitation
• 6th webinar: Strengthening Scientific Water Cooperation and Diplomacy through Youth Involvement towards the 2026 UN Water Conference

Young Water Professionals, practitioners, academics and researchers, students, policymakers, representatives of river and basin organisations, international organisations, youth organisations, civil society, and other stakeholders interested in transboundary water cooperation, water diplomacy and international water governance.

By participating in this webinar, participants will:

• Understanding current challenges and discussions in water cooperation and diplomacy through examining the evolution of the concepts, practical examples and the tracking of SDG 6 indicator 6.5.2.
• Understanding the essential contribution of youth, women and Indigenous People in transboundary water cooperation and its importance to the global water action agenda, peace, sustainable development and climate resilience.
• Understanding the perspectives and recommendations from youth and young professionals considering the UNWC 2026 and Interactive Dialogue D: Water for Cooperation.

• Mahmoud Radwan, UNESCO – Webinar Moderator
• Hadi Touré, AFR’EAU
• Antti Rautavaara, Finland Special Envoy for Water
• Representative of Zambia – TBC
• Aurélien Dumont, UNESCO
• Sonja Koeppel, UNECE – TBC
• Lucija Plantak, GWYN
• Edouard Boinet, INBO
• Bella Cissé, AFR’EAU
• Martina Klimes, SIWI
• Aya Hammami, EHYN
• Samraa Smadi, Blue Peace Middle East
• Leunell Chris Buela, GWYN
• Representative, Local2030
• Ambneesh Mishra, EHYN

• Co-organisers: UNESCO, Local2030, AFR’EAU, GWYN and EHYN.
• Partner organisations: SIWI, INBO and Blue Peace Middle East.

This webinar is part of the Global Youth Movement for Water (GYMW) & UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY) Capacity Development Series towards the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. The series brings together young water professionals, youth-led organisations, international organisations and sector experts to strengthen the capacity of young people to engage meaningfully in the preparatory process for the Conference.

Through eight interactive webinars, participants will explore the key themes of the 2026 UN Water Conference, deepen their understanding of global water governance, and connect with a global network of young leaders committed to advancing water security and sustainable development.

The series will culminate in the development of a Youth Position Statement, reflecting the perspectives and recommendations of young people from around the world to support youth engagement before, during and beyond the 2026 UN Water Conference.

The Global Youth Movement for Water is a collaborative initiative led together by the International Secretariat for Water (ISW), UNESCO, the International Water Association (IWA), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Water Youth Network (WYN), the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY), AJPEAS, AFR’EAU, Wavemakers United Foundation, and other partners committed to empowering the next generation of water leaders.