Thematic Process

Following its two-year thematic preparatory process, the 5th World Water Forum highlighted a wide range of water-related issues through over 100 sessions during the Forum week, organized under six themes and 23 topics.

Sessions discussed possible solutions to some of the most important challenges facing mankind in the 21st century, which represent a wealth of information and data on current and future water-related issues.

The thematic presentations made during the Forum week can be found in the CMS.

Background Information

The thematic process for the 5th World Water Forum followed a “pyramid” approach: all themes, topics and sessions ultimately led to the achievement of a clear set of experiences, recommendations and commitments for action on bridging water divides among actors, sectors and among the present and future generations.

The programme framework was developed by the programme Committee and specified the aim, themes and topics. 6 themes were identified:

Ends:

Global Changes and Risk Management
Advancing human Development and the MDGs
Managing and Protecting water resources and their supply systems to meet human and environmental needs

Means:

Governance and Management
Finance
Education, Knowledge and Capacity Building

Thematic Coordinators identified for each theme: their role was to develop within a thematic consortium the respective theme, topics and sessions to identify and share experiences and actions bridging the gaps between actors, sectors, regions and generations of relevance for the theme and to formulate recommendations, commitments and actions to further build these bridges.

Topics

Themes

Issues

Overarching Theme

Topic 1.1
Adapting to Climate Change

Theme 1:
Global Changes & Risk Management

Providing Water for Sustainable Development

Bridging Divides for Water

Topic 1.2
Water-related Migration, Changing Land Uses and Human Settlements
and water

Topic 1.3
Managing Disasters

Topic 2.1
Ensuring Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All

Theme 2