FAO Statistics at World Water Week 2024
Stockholm (Sweden), Hybrid Event, 25/08/2024 - 29/08/2024
FAO Statistics at World Water Week 2024
FAO water data experts participated in the World Water Week in Stockholm from 25 to 29 August, contributing to the global annual conference on water. During the event, FAO convened and participated in technical sessions in collaboration with global and country partners, focusing on key topics such as water information systems, SDG 6 monitoring and progress and Earth observation tools for water management. These discussions emphasized the role of water data as a catalyst for sustainable development, lasting peace and stability.
How accurate data on water is fostering joint decision making
Tuesday 27
14:00-15:30 CEST
Loc: C2, Level 2 and online
Session ID 11401
Earth observation technology can be used for building global water-resilient food value chains and mitigating (local) water withdrawals impacting water-stressed basins, fields and commodities. These shared watersheds are crucial for water quantity, quality and access and underline the need to break silo's of water authorities, businesses & local communities.
The Data Speaks: Status update of SDG 6
Wednesday 28
11:00 - 12:30 CEST
Loc: C4, Level 2
SESSION ID 11621
To follow-up on and review progress towards SDG 6 it is important to know the status of water and sanitation at multiple points in time. To support countries in monitoring water- and sanitation-related issues, and to report on global progress towards SDG 6, in 2014 UN-Water launched the Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6, which includes the eight UN agencies who are the custodians of the eleven SDG 6 indicators. During 2023, the focus of the Initiative was on working with Member States to generate, compile and analyze data for SDG 6 and all its global indicators, and in this session, the 2023 results will be presented. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss these results with UN custodian agencies, to share lessons from the process, and to consider how these data can be used for policymaking and to accelerate progress toward achieving SDG 6 as well as toward other SDGs.
Transboundary aquifer cooperation for advancing climate resilience in Africa
Wednesday 28
16:00 - 17:30 CEST
Loc: A2, Level 6 and online
Session ID 11792
While the abundance and potential of transboundary aquifers has motivated growing cooperative investment, transboundary aquifer management remains in its infancy. In Africa, there are more than 70 shared aquifers. However, less than 15 are believed to have received focus of a transboundary development project and less than 5 have been included in a transboundary water agreement. The reality that progress in cooperative aquifer management is its initial stages nonetheless implies vast potential to upscale. Plans to upscale can in turn be shaped and informed by lessons emerging from initial efforts.
This session will contextualize the significance and potential of shared aquifers in advancing climate resilience, facilitating cooperation and conflict resolution, and assuring water security for all in Africa. The session will also showcase the role of the new GEF funded Groundwater for Advancing Resilience in Africa (G4DR) project in realizing groundwater’s potential in Africa. Using case studies of implementation of past transboundary aquifer projects, the session will then mine lessons to inform the roll-out of efforts to enhance transboundary cooperation in the context. The G4DR project uses WaPOR data to achieve its aims.