UNESCO-IWRA Online Conference

UNESCO-IWRA Online Conference
17 - 19 Jan 2023 13:00 - 18:00
UTC+01:00
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

The overarching theme of the Online Conference is “Emerging Pollutants: Protecting Water Quality for the Health of People and the Environment”. This theme was selected to focus the conference on the intersection of the science-policy interface when addressing emerging pollutants, and steps and mechanisms that must be pursued to protect the health of people and the environment.

The Online Conference will highlight the ways the world can advance knowledge, research and solutions for managing emerging pollutants to improve and protect water quality in a changing world.

The main objectives of the conference are to:

  • Explore the impacts of emerging pollutants on water resources, considering technical and policy solutions to mitigate and reduce human health and ecological risks, bearing in mind increasing demand on water resources, as well as impacts of global climatic and demographic changes.
  • Identify the appropriate water policies and technologies needed to motivate change in water management, business, and policy priorities to address emerging pollutants.
  • Highlight the bold policy and institutional change needed to support the transformation in water management and policy and across other sectors to ensure better and more reliable water quality to protect human health and ecosystems.
  • Showcase successful efforts of innovative, nature-positive, and technological solutions for improved water quality and reduced water pollution.
  • Examine the life cycle management of emerging pollutants to find solutions not only at end-of-pipe, but also solutions based on a circular economy approach and working with industry, regulators, and local communities, as well as engaging all relevant stakeholders (including under-represented groups).

Participation by experts from Africa, low-income countries, women, and youth is encouraged. This conference will have a special submission category for young water professionals. 
 
Thanks to UNESCO‘s support, participation is free for all, and all conference-related materials will be open access.

Event Themes

Emerging pollutants in aquatic ecosystems
Emerging pollutants and groundwater
Emerging pollutants and wastewater
A circular economy approach: Lifecycle management of emerging pollutants
“Priority” emerging pollutants in the hydrocycle: microplastics, nanomaterial, PFAs and PPCPs