World Water Week 2013

This year’s edition of the World Water Week is dedicated to “Water Cooperation – Building Partnerships” to reflect the topic chosen by the United Nations to celebrate in 2013 the International Year of Water Cooperation (IYWC).

UNESCO, being the lead Agency to coordinate the celebrations of this International Year on behalf of UN-Water, has put a special effort in participating and contributing to this year’s World Water Week.
Ms Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, will be attending the Opening Ceremony of the Week and will be engaging in the High Level Panel to discuss issues related to the overarching theme of "Water Cooperation - Building Partnerships", such as how more effective cooperation can enable us to reach water wise decision and goals and thus contribute to sustainable development and peace.

Ms Bokova will highlight the messages of the International Year of Water Cooperation in different occasions and events, such the launching of the initiative “the Giant Puzzle of Water Cooperation” at UN-Water/UNESCO booth on Monday 2 September 2013.

Ms Bokova will interact with media and press to raise awareness on the importance of improved cooperation in the management of water resources and to promote a more sustainable and fair development of our societies. The visit of Ms Bokova to Stockholm will be an opportunity to strengthen the diplomatic and scientific ties between UNESCO and Sweden.

UNESCO and its Water Family - the International Hydrological Programme (IHP), its network of experts, UNESCO Chairs and Centers, and the World Assessment Programme (WWAP) - are highly involved in many sessions and initiatives that cover a wide spectrum of topics ranging from water security to climate change adaptation, education, transboundary waters management, capacity building and training, water governance, among others.