In an era of accelerating climate change, water scarcity, and growing socio-economic challenges, the world faces an urgent call to strengthen water resilience. Increasing pressures on water resources are forcing us to rethink how we value this strategic resource.

The 5th Istanbul International Water Forum (IIWF), organized under the theme “Strengthening Water Resilience: Innovation to Action”, will address the pressing global water challenges and explore ways to transform knowledge and innovation into practical solutions, focusing on dialogue, technology, finance, agriculture, health, and the interlinkages across sectors.

The Forum, jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, will serve as a high-level platform to share experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches towards achieving water resilience and water efficiency.

The Forum highlights four key sub-themes shaping today’s global water agenda.

· Water Dialogue for Resilience

· Finance Mobilization and Innovation for Climate-Resilient Water Management

· One Water, One Health: Integrated Management of Risks

· Beyond Trade-offs: Advancing the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus

Overall Forum Concept Note

Session Concept Notes:

High Level Interactive Panel on Paradigm Shift in a Changing World Water and the Bridging Power of Istanbul

High Level Panel on Water Efficiency

High Level Panel on One Water One Health

S 1.1 Water Cooperation for Resilience Dialogue in Action on the Path to the UN 2026 Water Conference

S 1.2 Inclusive Water Dialogue and Partnerships

S 1.3 Strengthening Capacities for a Water-Resilient World

S 2.1 Sustainable Financing for Water Infrastructure and Beyond Tailor-made Models

S 2.2 Achieving Water Efficiency: Innovative Technology-Focused Approaches and Digital Solutions in Water Management

S 2.3 From Wastewater to Resource: Circular Approaches in Water Management

S 3.1 Wastewater Surveillance: A One Health Perspective

S 3.2 Adapting WASH Services to Climate Challenges

S 3.3 Integrated Frameworks for Disaster Risk Management

S 4.1 From Silos to Synergy: Accelerating the WEFE Nexus

S 4.2 Transforming Agriculture : Systematic Solutions in the WEFE Context

S 4.3 Water Wise Cities Sustainable Solutions