Follow SIWI to the UN 2023 Water Conference

The UN 2023 Water Conference is historic, being only the second time the United Nations has organized a global freshwater conference. The last conference was held back in 1977, when the planet had only half as many inhabitants and few people had heard of the global water crisis or climate change. 

So far, interest in the conference seems great, with thousands of people set to travel to New York where the conference will be held at the United Nations headquarters. Running from the 22 to 24 March, the UN 2023 Water Conference will feature 550 side events in addition to the plenaries and interactive dialogues. A few days earlier on 18 March, the New York Water Week kicks off with more than 100 sessions to raise awareness of different water issues.  

SIWI will play an active role in both formal and informal meetings, as event organizers and as speakers in events organized by others. We will do everything we can to foster collaboration around the Water Action Agenda and strengthen the collective movement for good governance, water centred climate action, source-to-sea management, and transboundary water cooperation.  

In addition to helping other actors implement initiatives launched as part of the Water Action Agenda, we have committed to offer World Water Week as an arena to drive action forward, year on year. Learn more about how World Water Week will contribute. 

Our events 

SIWI will organize both official side events and other activities to draw attention to topics like how cities can use water to find climate solutions, the role of indigenous knowledge, gender perspectives, transboundary cooperation, and how art can contribute to achieving SDG 6.  

See a full list of SIWI events

Our messages 

In the lead-up to the UN 2023 Water Conference, SIWI is advocating for five guiding principles that could help us address the global water crisis and build more resilient societies. It is critical to:

• Use water as a tool in both climate mitigation and adaptation. 
• Restore the water cycle from source to sea. 
• Improve water governance to achieve universal health. 

• Promote transboundary cooperation to strengthen water security. 
• Ensure that water governance is inclusive.

Learn more about SIWI’s messages to the UN 2023 Water Conference

Our commitments   

The SIWI has made nine commitments to the Water Action Agenda, with a focus on different ways to strengthen collective action. Read more about our commitments.

Our experts

SIWI will send a delegation of ten colleagues from different parts of the organization to attend the formal conference, with additional experts contributing to side events and consultations. Here you see our team and how you can connect with them.