President to inaugurate 8th India Water Week today

New Delhi, Sep 16: As India grapples with growing water demands from agriculture, industry, and domestic consumption, President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will inaugurate the 8th edition of India Water Week (IWW) on September 17 in New Delhi.

The India Water Week comes with a focus on sustainable development and international cooperation, an attempt to shape policies and strategies that will have lasting impacts on the future of India’s water resources.

The event is organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, will take place at the Bharat Mandapam from September 17 to 20, and will be attended by prominent dignitaries, including Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Paatil and Minister of State Raj Bhushan Choudhary.

This year’s theme, “Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management,” highlights the need for collaborative efforts across sectors to achieve sustainable water management, a challenge that requires the active participation of governments, civil society, and the private sector.

Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of Jal Shakti, emphasised that India Water Week is not merely an annual event but a deliberate effort to foster dialogue among experts, policymakers, and the public. Through seminars, exhibitions, and other interactive sessions, participants will explore key strategies to ensure the conservation, preservation, and optimum utilisation of India’s water resources.

Water conservation in India has become an urgent priority as the country faces growing water scarcity, pollution, and inefficient use of existing water supplies. The IWW 2024 aims to bring these issues to the forefront by promoting cutting-edge solutions that go beyond conventional methods.

The event will see participation from over 5,000 delegates, including water resource experts from countries such as Denmark, Israel, Australia, and Singapore. Several forums and sessions are planned to offer insights into both global and local water management challenges.

Through interdisciplinary discussions, it seeks to explore how innovative technologies and practices can address the complexities of water management in the 21st century.

The event will feature an extensive exhibition, spread over 4,800 square meters, displaying high-tech solutions and technologies from countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, and many African nations. This exhibition aims to substitute knowledge sharing and introduce innovative solutions to water management challenges in both rural and urban areas.

An important segment of the 2024 India Water Week will be the International WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Conference, organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. This global platform will offer an opportunity for cross-learning on water sanitation and hygiene, areas that remain critical for India’s public health agenda.