SIWI at Cairo Water Week 2026

SIWI will bring a governance perspective to these discussions: how institutions, policies and cooperation can help translate scientific knowledge, technical tools and financing into action. Our contributions will emphasize connections across the full water cycle and the capacities needed to put commitments into practice ahead of the UN 2026 Water Conference.

Thomas Rebermark will take these priorities into four sessions as a moderator, panellist and contributor:

1. Water diplomacy and science-based cooperation across shared water systems

25 October 2026 | 15:00–16:30 EEST (Cairo time)
Monaco C Hall, Triumph Luxury Hotel, Cairo, Egypt

Organized by: UNESCO Cairo–IHP and the UNESCO Chair on Transboundary Water Management and Governance at Egypt’s National Water Research Center.

Thomas will join this panel exploring how science, shared data and institutional cooperation can strengthen water diplomacy in Africa and the Arab region. The discussion will examine the skills needed to support cooperation across shared waters and opportunities for continued training and knowledge exchange among regional institutions.

The discussion will focus on:

• Connecting scientific evidence, shared data and digital tools with water diplomacy.
• Strengthening the skills and institutions needed for shared waters cooperation.
• Creating opportunities for training and peer learning between African and Arab institutions.

2. Capacity development for water security in Africa and the Arab region

26 October 2026 | 09:30–11:00 EEST (Cairo time)
Picasso 4, Triumph Luxury Hotel, Cairo, Egypt

Organized by: UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo and Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

Thomas will contribute to this session on strengthening the skills and institutions needed for water security and climate resilience in Africa and the Arab region. Participants will explore how training, access to finance and regional cooperation can help countries put water commitments into practice, while advancing an emerging capacity development initiative ahead of the UN 2026 Water Conference.

The discussion will focus on:

• Building skills in water governance, climate adaptation, digital tools and project preparation.
• Connecting existing training programmes and knowledge networks with countries’ needs.
• Strengthening partnerships and financing to expand capacity development across the region.

3. Green water for a water-secure future: bridging land, water, climate and food systems

26 October 2026 | 16:00–17:30 EEST (Cairo time)
Monaco C Hall, Triumph Luxury Hotel, Cairo, Egypt

Organized by: UNESCO Cairo.

This high-level session will explore how a better understanding of the full water cycle can strengthen water security, agriculture and climate resilience. It will focus on green water—rainfall stored in soils and vegetation—and how to account for it alongside rivers, lakes and groundwater in planning and investment. The discussion will help advance a proposed Green Water Flagship Initiative ahead of the UN 2026 Water Conference.

Thomas will contribute as a panelist to the dialogue on science, finance and implementation, focusing on:

• Connecting scientific knowledge of the full water cycle with international water policy.
• Building cooperation among countries, scientific institutions and development partners.
• Bringing green water into preparations for the UN 2026 Water Conference and the water agenda beyond 2030.

4. Addressing water challenges through tools, people, finance and governance

29 October 2026 | 09:30–11:00 EEST (Cairo time)
Monaco AB Hall, Triumph Luxury Hotel, Cairo, Egypt

Organized by: Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

Thomas will moderate this plenary exploring how technical innovation, inclusive participation, financing and effective governance can turn water plans into action. Taking a Mediterranean perspective, the panel will discuss practical approaches to water challenges and priorities to bring to the UN 2026 Water Conference in December.

Thomas will focus the discussion on:

• Connecting data, science and technical tools with decisions and implementation.
• Making stakeholder participation and gender inclusion integral to lasting solutions.
• Mobilizing private capital with strong public oversight and fair access to water.
• Governing the full water cycle, including groundwater and soil moisture, through cooperation across borders.