The 8th World Water Forum will be held in Brasília, the Federal Capital of Brazil, 18-23 March 2018, with the central theme ‘Sharing Water’. It is the first time that the Forum will be held in a country in the Southern Hemisphere, in recognition of the importance of the participation of developing countries in discussions on global water resources management.

The Forum is the biggest and most important event on water and is promoted by the World Water Council in collaboration with the city and host country. It is carried out every 3 years in different parts of the world. It contributes to the dialogue of the decisionmaking process on water at a global level, aiming at its rational and sustainable use. Due to its political, technical and institutional reach, the Forum has, as one of its main characteristics, the open and democratic participation of a wide range of actors from different sectors, which makes it a space of great relevance in the international agenda. Representativeness of the participants guarantees the creative, inspiring and innovative environment. Meetings between people and their studies, techniques and technologies are what changes the way of managing water resources throughout the world.

For more information, visit www.worldwaterforum8.org

AWP @ World Water Forum 2018

The core objectives for AWP in participating at WWF8 in Brasilia is to position Australia as a trusted ‘water partner for development’ globally by raising awareness of the value of Australian experiences in line with Australia’s areas of responsibility for the HLPW, and its approaches to environmental water management. AWP also aims to facilitate the international engagement of Australian water practitioners and raise awareness of the role and work of the AWP. The Forum also provides a stage for AWP to network with leading figures from the international water sector.

The key sessions and events AWP will support include:

• the conclusion of the UN/World Bank High Level Panel on Water with a report on the outcomes of its work since its inception
• the launch of updated/new AWP publications to support Australia’s contribution to the HLPW as one of eleven member countries
• leading and co-convening an ecosystems session (5.a.1) on ‘Managing and restoring ecosystems for water services and biodiversity – Balancing water needs for humans and nature‘ on Monday 19 March, 4:30-6pm. This theme provides Australia with an ideal opportunity to convey to the world lessons learned from what is considered internationally to be successful efforts in environmental water management
• attending a social event hosted by Australia’s Ambassador to Brazil to network with other key Australian and international delegations
• an exhibition booth (jointly with DFAT) promoting Australian expertise and resources
• bilateral meetings between Australia and Myanmar.