The 2026 Week will focus on how to build a more just and equitable water-secure future for people and the planet in a rapidly changing climate. The event’s central theme is ‘Water for People and Progress’. Riva and partners will host and convene a range of sessions exploring the water equity, data use, climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene systems, and safely managed services.
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 23 AUGUST
1. Improving data use on water for people
Date: 23 August | Time: 14:00–15:30 | Location: C3, Level 2 | Session ID: 12580
Summary: Interactive session on how governments and their partners can improve the use of data on the provision of water and sanitation services; by monitoring, compiling and using data along the entire results chain of service provision: from financial inputs via the strength of the systems to actual services delivered.
Convenors: Riva, Agenda for Change, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK, GOAL Global, Self Help Africa, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, UNICEF, Water For People, WaterAid, World Health Organization
MONDAY 24 AUGUST
2. SIWI Seminar (1/3): Framing Water Equity: Conceptual Foundations and Perspectives
Date: 24 August | Time: 16:00–17:00 | Location: Online | Session ID: 14115
Summary: Session 1: Equity in water: Indicators to Implementation
This opening session of the seminar series will attempt to establish a shared and defensible conceptual foundation for water equity, anchored in rights-based, scientific, political-economy, and governance perspectives.
Convenors: Riva, Arizona State University, Water Innovations for a Sustainable Earth (WISE), WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme
3. Moving from Basic to Safely Managed WASH: Exploring Blended Finance
Date: 24 August | Time: 16:30–18:00 | Location: Room 24/25, Level 2 | Session ID: 12543
Summary: This session highlights how microfinance is expanding basic WASH access in climate-vulnerable areas of Bangladesh, demonstrating its value in reaching underserved households. The discussion will explore how strengthened planning derived blended finance can close remaining gaps and enable the transition toward climate-resilient, safely managed WASH services in a sustainable manner.
Convenors: Riva, BRAC
TUESDAY 25 AUGUST
4. Climate-Resilient District WASH Systems: From Planning to Public Finance
Date: 25 August | Time: 09:00–10:30 | Location: C3, Level 2 | Session ID: 12552
Summary: This session shows how Climate-Resilient District WASH Master Plans turn climate risk analysis into inclusive public finance and governance reforms. Drawing on Agenda for Change experience, it demonstrates how equity-centered planning protects low-income households, improves services for women and vulnerable groups, and strengthens resilient service delivery in climate-exposed communities.
Convenor: Riva, Agenda for Change, Aguaconsult, German Toilet Organization, The German WASH Network, WaterAid, Welthungerhilfe
5. SIWI Seminar (2/3): Measuring Water Equity: Evolving Indicators and Targets
Date: 25 August | Time: 14:00–15:30 | Location: C2, Level 2 | Session ID: 14116
Summary: Session 2: Equity in water: Indicators to Implementation
This second session of the seminar series will take stock of existing indicators and discuss their effectiveness towards achieving water equity, clarifying which actors design and use which indicators and identifying critical gaps, especially those that require scientific input to bridge policy and practice.
Convenor: Riva, Arizona State University, Water Innovations for a Sustainable Earth (WISE), WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme
WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST
6. Building Capacity for Climate-Resilient WASH: A Practical Tool for Implementers
Date: 26 August | Time: 11:00–12:30 | Location: Room 26, Level 2 | Session ID: 12549
Summary: This session launches a newly developed, modular learning tool designed to help practitioners move from climate awareness to climate-informed action. Participants will engage in an interactive workshop to test course modules, share feedback, and build the practical skills needed to embed resilience into their WASH interventions.
Convenors: Riva, Aguaconsult, Osprey Foundation, Shockwave Foundation
7. SIWI Seminar (3/3): Operationalizing Water Equity: Exploring key levers for water equity
Date: 26 August | Time: 14:00–15:30 | Location: Room 27, Level 2 | Session ID: 14117
Summary: Session 3: Equity in water: Indicators to Implementation
This third session of the seminar series translates indicators into action by back casting from an equity-informed future to identify priority reforms in data, governance, finance, and accountability.
Convenors: Riva, Arizona State University, Water Innovations for a Sustainable Earth (WISE), WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme
Join us at World Water Week 2026 as we work with partners worldwide to transform systems for the better, for all of us.