Agenda

• Session Info

The session will cover modelling techniques and products that have been developed and used to improve the monitoring of water use efficiency and crop yield in agriculture.

• Session Info

This session will explore the concept of water tenure, how it is regulated across various national contexts, and the ways in which legal recognition and protection of water tenure rights of smallholder farmers and other vulnerable actors can support the goals of sustainable production and access to food for all.  It will provide an overview of the variety of applied research being undertaken to assist countries in achieving more fair, just and accountable water governance through a tenure lens. Case studies from specific countries will highlight key issues, including balancing legal certainty with the flexibility necessary to govern water tenure under climate uncertainty, gender considerations, and the specific needs of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendants, and local communities that hold water tenure rights customarily. It will also provide information about opportunities to engage in the recently launched Global Dialogue to Develop Principles for the Responsible Governance of Water Tenure.

• Session Info

Global water and food systems face unprecedented challenges, from climate uncertainty and population growth to resource scarcity and food insecurity. Addressing these challenges requires a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. This session will explore critical aspects of workforce development in the water and food sectors, focusing on training and equipping the next generation of professionals.

Key topics discussed include:

• Identifying Critical Skills Gaps: Current and emerging skills gaps within the water and food sectors, including areas such as data science, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and water resource management.
• Innovative Training Programs: Innovative training programs and initiatives that are effectively addressing these skills gaps. Examples may include:
• University-Industry Partnerships: Collaborative programs that integrate academic learning with real-world experience.
• Upskilling and Reskilling Programs: Initiatives that provide existing professionals with the necessary skills to adapt to changing industry demands.
• Apprenticeships and Internships: Hands-on training opportunities that bridge the gap between academia and industry.
• The Role of Technology in Workforce Development: How emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and remote sensing, are transforming workforce development in the water and food sectors.

• Session Info

Drought is an increasing global challenge, exacerbated by a warming planet. This session will explore the latest advancements in drought risk management, examining a variety of methods, tools, and services designed to build a more drought-resilient future, including:

• Early warning systems and improved drought monitoring: Exploring the latest advancements in drought monitoring, early warning systems, and the use of remote sensing and data analytics to improve drought prediction and early action.
• Drought-resilient agricultural practices: Examining innovative approaches to drought-resilient agriculture, including drought-tolerant crops, improved irrigation technologies, and water conservation strategies.
• Financial and insurance mechanisms: Discussing the role of drought insurance, risk transfer mechanisms, and financial safety nets in mitigating the impacts of drought on vulnerable communities.
• Community-based drought preparedness and response: Exploring the role of community-based drought preparedness plans, early warning systems, and social safety nets in building community resilience.
• Policy and governance for drought risk reduction: Examining the role of effective drought policies, institutional frameworks, and international cooperation in enhancing drought preparedness and response.

• Session Info

Agriculture consumes 70% of global freshwater, yet faces growing challenges from rainfall variability, water scarcity, and the need to produce more food for a rising population. This session explores how digital technologies—such as precision irrigation, AI-driven resource management, digital twins and blockchain-enabled water tracking—are transforming agriculture across scales to address these pressing issues in the Global South.

We will examine how digital innovations and predictive analytics can optimize water use, mitigate the impacts of unpredictable rainfall, and boost productivity. The discussion will also address the economic, social, and environmental trade-offs of adopting these technologies in the Global South and how they can be scaled to ensure food security in a water-constrained world.

Featuring insights from agri-tech experts, sustainability leaders, and water management professionals, this session will highlight actionable strategies to accelerate the adoption of water-smart solutions.

Key Takeaways:

Discover digital tools that optimize water use and adapt to rainfall variability and help us to “free up water”. Explore how we can make water more visible within our food system

Ideal for farmers, technologists, policymakers, and sustainability advocates, this session will inspire new ideas and foster collaboration toward a future where agriculture thrives with minimal water dependency. Join us to explore how digital innovation can turn the dream of water-efficient, climate-resilient farming into reality.

• Session Info

This session will explore complex water issues in Indigenous communities in the United States and globally. This will include communities’ connections to water, legal and policy frameworks that impact water access, and specific case studies addressing regional water issues. The speakers will discuss various aspects of water challenges faced by Indigenous and Tribal nations and focus on identifying pathways toward potential solutions. The audience will better understand the critical role water plays in sustaining Indigenous cultures and Tribal nation building through a variety of experts.