India International Water Week 2026 to be Held in New Delhi to Discuss Climate-Resilient Water Management

The Ministry of Jal Shakti is organizing the 9th edition of the 'India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026' from September 22 to September 26, 2026, in New Delhi. The main theme for this year's event is “Climate-Resilient Water Management.” Since its inception in 2012, this event has evolved into a major biennial platform where policymakers, researchers, industry experts, and citizens discuss sustainable water management strategies.

Discussions in this edition will center on seven key sub-themes: inclusive and equitable water governance, cooperation for the optimized use of water resources, technology and community for water security, climate risks, innovative financing models for water infrastructure, sustainable water resource management, and water for people and the planet. Representatives from six central ministries and 16 states and union territories will participate. Approximately 150 countries have been invited, with 11 countries expected to join as partners. A total of 49 special sessions will be held during the event, including plenary sessions for ministers, a youth forum, and a dedicated platform for startups.

Over the past decade, the Government of India has launched several significant initiatives for water security, including the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, 'Catch the Rain', the Atal Bhujal Yojana, and Mission Amrit Sarovar. These efforts have had a positive impact on groundwater levels, with total annual groundwater recharge increasing from 432 billion cubic meters (BCM) in 2017 to 448.52 BCM in 2025.

Numerous examples of community participation have emerged at the grassroots level. In the Balod district of Chhattisgarh, under 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0', 2.84 lakh recharge structures were constructed between June 2025 and May 2026, which included the restoration of 'Tavera Nala'. In the Khowai district of Tripura, women from over 6,000 self-help groups are serving as water managers, monitoring and managing water quality. Meanwhile, in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, the Ban River (42 km) and Sot River (17 km) have been revived through the “Dhara se Dharohar tak” campaign. In Odisha, students are being made aware of groundwater science through 'Catch the Rain 2026', and 905 water harvesting structures have been built across the state.