Viewing Water Security Through the Lens of the Sustainable Development Goals

Water security is intrinsically linked with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While there is a dedicated goal for water (SDG 6), several other SDGs are directly impacted by water security. These include SDG 1 (No poverty); SDG 2 (Zero hunger); SDG 3 (good health and well-being); SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy); SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities); SDG 13 (climate action); SDG 14 (life below water); and SDG 15 (life of land). Achieving water security is, therefore, central to achieving the SDGs. Water security is a holistic philosophy that has multiple attributes such as adequate water supply for the subsistence of humans and the environment; appropriate sanitation; ability to withstand water-related disasters; protecting the water resources; efficient and productive use of water, among others.

The objective of this session is to highlight key scientific advances made in the various aspects of water security that have a direct implication on the SDGs. These scientific advances range from pure scientific studies, to action research, to decision support systems, to technological interventions, to community engagement, among others. In order to make the session more interactive and active, the session will also feature scenario building games where the participants will have the opportunity to collectively work to establish scientific solutions to actual case studies related to water security and the SDGs.

• Action Research
• Climate Change
• Decision Support Systems
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Water Security

• Session keynote (15 min.)
• 4 specialist presentations in different domains  to set the stage (15 minutes/presentation)
• Scenario building games (45 min.)