On 22 March, the 2026 World Water Day Open Day and River Dialogue thematic event was held in Beijing. The event was jointly initiated and hosted by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), and the editorial office of the Journal River, co-hosted by the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) and the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), and organized by the School of Environment, Beijing Normal University. Focusing on the theme “Constructing National Water Network: China’s Path to Water Security,” the event facilitated exchanges on China’s national water network policy system, key technologies, and practical experience.
Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia; Prof. JIANG Yunzhong, Vice President of IWHR and Executive Editor-in-Chief of the Journal River; Prof. Asit K. Biswas, Professor at the University of Glasgow and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal River; and Prof. SHEN Zhenyao, Dean of the School of Environment, Beijing Normal University attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. More than 100 representatives from domestic and international research institutions, universities, and international organizations participated in the event.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Shahbaz Khan stated that achieving water security and Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all —requires inclusive governance, scientific cooperation, and innovative solutions. This year’s World Water Day theme, “Water and Gender,” highlights the critical role of gender equality in water access and decision-making. He highly praised China’s national water network initiative, noting that its integrated planning, improved infrastructure development, and optimized management systems provide valuable experience and important reference for addressing climate change and growing water demand. He also emphasized that UNESCO will continue to promote international cooperation and knowledge sharing through platforms such as the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), calling for strengthened science-based decision-making and coordinated responses to global challenges such as climate change and urbanization, and for making water a driving force for resilience, equity, and shared prosperity.
Prof. JIANG Yunzhong stated that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will further enhance its capacity for optimized water resource allocation and national water security. IWHR will focus on the development concepts of a safe, smart, green, and integrated water network, carry out scientific research on major issues, and utilize academic platforms such as the journal River to further promote international cooperation and exchange in water science and technology, contributing “Chinese wisdom” and “Chinese solutions” to water security and sustainable development.
Prof. Asit K. Biswas pointed out that global progress toward achieving water-related Sustainable Development Goals remains off track, and water security has not yet received adequate attention on the global political agenda. He emphasized the need to shift water governance from a purely engineering-focused approach to a comprehensive societal governance model. While promoting water infrastructure development, he stressed the importance of managing socio-economic water demand. He commended China’s achievements in water infrastructure development and noted that due to significant differences in national contexts and water conditions, there is no single model for water governance. Countries should adopt context-specific approaches and strengthen international exchanges and intellectual dialogue with an open and inclusive attitude to explore solutions to water challenges.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/2026-world-water-day-open-day-and-river-dialogue-thematic-event-successfully-held-beijing?hub=701
