Join IRC and One For All partners this World Water Week 2025
Stockholm, 24–28 August | Themes: WASH Systems, Climate Resilience, Finance, and Human Rights
Published on: 20/08/2025
World Water Week's 2025 theme is 'Water for Climate Action'.
The Week will focus on addressing the linked emergencies of climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss. IRC and partners will host and convene a range of sessions exploring the intersections of WASH systems, climate resilience, financing, and human rights.
For those of you joining online, full access passes to World Water Week are free of charge. Registration is possible via SIWI's World Water Week website.
See our full programme below:
SUNDAY 24 AUGUST
Date: 24 August | Time: 14:00–15:30 | Location: Room 26, Level 2 | Session ID: 12285
Summary: Political leadership must be matched by financial accountability. This session shows how WASH accounts—standardised tools to track financial flows—can drive mutual accountability and accelerate SDG 6 progress. Highlights:
Convenors: IRC, FCDO, Government of the Netherlands, SWA, UNICEF, Water For People, WaterAid, WHO
MONDAY 25 AUGUST
Date: 25 August | Time: 14:00–15:30 | Location: Room 26, Level 2 | Session ID: 12173
Summary: Innovative sanitation solutions from the One For All Alliance, including nature-based solutions, community ownership, and market-based approaches in Peru, Bolivia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
Convenors: IRC, Water for Good, Water For People
TUESDAY 26 AUGUST
Date: 26 August | Time: 13:00–14:00 | Location: Online | Session ID: 12326
Summary: Only 0.3% of climate finance goes to WASH. This session unpacks the potential of WASH in climate resilience and provides insights into accessing climate finance for adaptation and social justice.
Convenor: IRC, Water For People
WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST
Date: 27 August | Time: 12:00–12:20 | Location: Talkshow Studio, Level 5 | Session ID: 12381
Summary: Presentation of findings from the upcoming UN-Habitat/GWOPA report, with perspectives from utilities, governments, and IRC. Focus on innovation, finance, and systemic solutions for urban WASH service delivery.
Convenors: IRC, UN-Habitat/GWOPA, Water For People
Date: 27 August | Time: 14:00–15:30 | Location: Room C2, Level 2 | Session ID: 12298
Summary: WHO and UNICEF lead efforts to define core indicators for WASH systems. This session updates on the "Align to Accelerate" initiative and seeks to build consensus for a unified monitoring framework.
Convenors: WHO, UNICEF, IRC, World Bank, WaterAid, Water For People, University of Leeds, LSHTM, FCDO, GIZ, Osprey Foundation
Date: 27 August | Time: 14:00–15:30 | Location: Room C4, Level 2 | Session ID: 12182
Summary: A hands-on session offering practical guidance for designing and implementing climate-resilient WASH programming, with real-world case studies and a panel discussion on scaling resilience.
Convenors: Aguaconsult, Osprey Foundation, Self Help Africa, Shockwave Foundation, University of Bristol
Date: 27 August | Time: 16:00–17:30 | Location: Room C2, Level 2 | Session ID: 12131
Summary: Presenting results from a global research prioritisation on climate, hygiene, and health. Participants will co-develop a shared research agenda to inform inclusive, climate-resilient WASH programming.
Convenors: IRC, WaterAid, WHO, Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute, University of Leeds, Northumbria, Oxford, LSHTM
THURSDAY 28 AUGUST
Date: 28 August | Time: 11:00–12:30 | Location: Room 27, Level 2 | Session ID: 12119
Summary: This session explores how human rights principles—like accountability, equality, and participation—can guide WASH systems strengthening. Includes climate-vulnerable case studies and interactive activities.
Convenors: Simavi, IRC, Malteser International, GTO, SWA, WASH United, Make Rights Real Consortium, RSDC, CAFOMI, VcA Uganda, UNNATI
Date: 28 August | Time: 14:00–15:30 | Location: Room 27, Level 2 | Session ID: 12137
Summary: From risk assessment to systems transformation, this session offers practical approaches for embedding resilience into WASH systems in the face of global climate and social challenges.
Convenors: IRC, Self Help Africa, WaterAid, LSHTM, University of Sydney
Join us at World Water Week 2025 as we work with partners worldwide to build stronger, climate-resilient WASH systems and ensure the human right to water and sanitation for all.
