World Water Week 2016 – Overarching Conclusions

The 2016 World Water Week kicked off nearly a year after the UN General Assembly agreed on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will guide global development work until 2030. The Week, themed “Water for Sustainable Growth”, sought to contribute, directly and indirectly, to the SDG 8:Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

In these pages, we share our conclusions from the Week. Three teams of rapporteurs have together attended all events during the Week, not a small feat, and starting on page 8, you can read their key take-home messages from the environmental, economic and social perspectives. The chair of the World Water Week Scientific Programme Committee summarizes the eight seminars, which form the scientific core of the Week. We also offer a glimpse of the Prize ceremonies, as well as a browse through the activity in social media, including the popular new app used by over a thousand participants.