Call for Abstracts: Facilitating scientific contributions to water diplomacy and cooperation processes

The theme of this year’s Assembly is “Water and Development: scientific challenges in addressing societal issues.” With 40% of the world’s population living in transboundary river and lake basins and more than 90% living in countries that share basins, transboundary water diplomacy is critical for sustainable and peaceful development and ensuring water security. Water diplomacy can enable users, local and national governments to prevent, resolve or manage conflicts, and negotiate arrangements or agreements on the allocation and management of water resources.

Abstracts should respond to any of the following issues:

• Effective mechanisms for communicating science for water diplomacy and cooperation processes.
• Innovative ways for making local communities, civil society and disadvantaged groups, for example indigenous communities, rightful actors in water diplomacy and/or cooperation efforts.
• Exploring best practices, challenges, emerging trends and future prospects in water cooperation/ diplomacy.
• Identifying the potential of science to enhance and promote water cooperation and provide solutions in water diplomacy.
• Data needs and challenges in water diplomacy.

The submission deadline for this session is the 14 February 2017. Please submit your abstracts through the IAHS’ online system. The authors of selected abstracts will be invited to present their work in a panel discussion during the session. Kindly note that IAHS charges an abstract processing charge of €37 per abstract for the Scientific Assembly 2017. UNESCO may cover the abstract processing charge for applicants for this and all UNESCO-convened sessions at the 2017 IAHS Assembly upon request and pre-submission of the abstract, with priority given to students as well as individuals from developing and least developed countries. The full agenda for the Assembly, including other UNESCO co-convened sessions, can be found on the conference website.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Renée Gift or Nicole Webley.