World Water Week

World Water Week

Why it Matters? 

  • The WHO–UNICEF report (2025) shows open defecation in low-income countries is four times the global average, making them the only group off-track for 2030. Rural poor, women, minorities, and people with disabilities face the greatest WASH disparities. 

What You Should Know? 

  • World Water Week is an annual global event organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) in Sweden. 

  • It began in 1991 and is held every year during the last week of August in Stockholm.  

  • The event focuses on pressing global water challenges, sustainable development, sanitation, water security, and climate change, with a strong link to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). 

  • It brings together participants from governments, UN agencies, NGOs, businesses, researchers, and civil society, making it the world’s leading conference on water.  

  • The theme for 2025 is “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future.” 

  • India regularly participates in World Water Week, represented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, NITI Aayog, researchers, NGOs, and civil society groups.