Date: 1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022 (postponed from 2020)
Venue: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The World Expo in Dubai provides an opportunity to showcase Australian contributions to addressing global water challenges, and for Australian institutions to build international linkages and raise their profile on a global stage. The World Expo is a global mega-event with over 190 participating countries. The Australian Pavilion, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), brings a piece of Australia to the Expo and play host to a targeted program of events that showcases the best of Australia. The Australian Pavilion is involved in Water Week, one of ten theme weeks running throughout the six months of the Expo.

For more information, visit the event website here.

AWP at Expo Dubai

South Australia / University of the UAE Conference on Arid Regions

Date: Tuesday 22 March – Thursday 24 March 2022
Location: Hybrid – Dubai Exhibition Centre and online
Convenors: UAE University; South Australian Department for Environment and Water; Goyder Institute (AWP on the organising committee)
Website: conferences.uaeu.ac.ae/expo2020_wms

Water has been identified as a priority area of research under the UAE National Innovation Strategy. The conference will assist policymakers in identifying appropriate measures for ensuring water availability and sustainability in order to meet the future demands of various sectors. The conference is an opportunity to share best practice and showcase research expertise and innovations related to water security and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. The conference will be open to participation and/or attendance by representatives from a range of countries invited by UAEU and its Australian partner/s.

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Workshop on Harnessing Community Knowledge for Effective Water Outcomes Under Conditions of Scarcity

Date: Tuesday 22 March 2022
Location: Hybrid – Australian Pavilion, Dubai Exhibition Centre and online
Time: 11:45am–1:15pm (GST), 6:45–8:15pm (AEDT)
Convenors: Australian Water Partnership and Alluvium Consulting

Online participants – join from the event link here

Join by the event number
Event number (access code): 2650 673 1616
Event password: WorldWater (96753928 from phones)

As part of the South Australia / University of the UAE Conference on Arid Regions, the Australian Pavilion is organising a series of technical workshops to celebrate World Water Day. AWP and Alluvium Consulting are partnering to co-host a workshop highlighting the importance of community knowledge in sustainable water management through three case studies. The speakers at the Workshop will reflect on the important role Indigenous people play in managing groundwater, the experience in working through complex policy change in Australia’s Murray Darling Basin and share findings from work done on community management of ground water recharge in the context of India.

Participants, both online and in person, will have an opportunity to ask questions of the speakers.

Moderators:

• Phil Duncan, Australian Indigenous Water Leader, Moree New South Wales, Member Gomeroi Nation Native Title Claimant Group, Alluvium Consulting
• Sarah Ransom, General Manager, Australian Water Partnership

Speakers:

• Bradley Moggridge, Kamilaroi Water Scientist, Associate Professor in Indigenous Water Science, Indigenous Liaison Officer – Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Centre for Applied Water Science at University of Canberra
• The Honourable Karlene Maywald, South Australia Water Ambassador
• Professor Basant Maheshwari, Western Sydney University

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Making the invisible visible: Valuing women and marginalised people in water management and WASH

Date: Tuesday 22 March 2022
Location: Women’s Pavilion and Zoom
Time: 2:00–3:30pm (GST), 9:00–10:30pm (AEDT)
Convenors: DFAT; AWP; Water for Women; Women’s Pavilion organising committee

In-person registration
Online registration

Around the world, women informally lead the management of water resources and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) behaviour. Women make up half of the world’s population, yet a significantly smaller proportion of women perform in decision-making roles within communities, businesses, government, and research positions set up to address water issues. Women and other marginalised people need to be engaged in all aspects of water management so that they can benefit equally and contribute to solving the complex problems the sector faces. Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030—clean water and sanitation for all—will require all people to work together despite traditional gender-based divisions.

In recognition of World Water Day and the 2022 theme of “Groundwater: Making the invisible visible”, join us in this event to celebrate diverse roles across the water cycle. The session will highlight real-world examples from the Asia-Pacific region and advocate for inclusive decision making. Supporting women and other marginalised people to contribute to decision making is the first step in achieving water and sanitation for all.

Speakers:

• Jamie Isbister, Ambassador for the Environment, First Assistant Secretary, Climate Change and Sustainability Division (Opening Address, in- person)
• Sarah Ransom, General Manager, Australian Water Partnership (Online panelist)
• Brian Gleeson, Project Director TSSP, International Development Assistance (In- person panelist)
• The Hon Karlene Maywald, South Australia Water Ambassador (In- person panelist)
• Dr Brenda Dobia, Adjunct Fellow, University of Western Sydney (Online panelist)
• Dr Tarifa Alzabi, Acting Director General, International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (In- person panelist)
• Professor Basant Maheshwari, Western Sydney University (TBC)
• Nada Abubakr, Managing Director, Isle Utilities Middle East (Facilitator)

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Women’s World Majlis – A Thirst for Equality

Date: Thursday 24 March 2022
Location: Women’s Pavilion Majlis- Floor One, Dubai Exhibition Centre
Convenors: Australian Pavilion and Women’s Pavilion organising committee
Participating: AWP; Water for Women; and representatives from international organisations

Thought leaders, changemakers and visionaries come together to address the challenges in accessing water resources through a gender lense at the Women’s Pavilion.
For more information visit the event website here.