Global water stress is becoming increasingly severe and, in many cases, irreversible due to climate change, groundwater depletion, ecosystem degradation, and unsustainable consumption patterns. Large parts of Asia already face recurring shortages that threaten food security, urban stability, and economic development. Without immediate shifts in governance and demand management, these impacts may lock regions into long-term water insecurity.
This webinar will present emerging insights from the Global Water Bankruptcy Report and the Asian Water Development Outlook (AWDO) 2025, examining how hydrological insolvency and irreversibility climate pressures, and governance gaps are shaping water security across Asia and the Pacific.
Speakers:
Prof. Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health
Mr. Norio Saito, Senior Director, Water and Urban Development Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
Bambang Brodjonegoro, Dean and CEO, Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)
KE Seethram, ADBI Fellow; Visiting Professor, CSIS, The University of Tokyo
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) report explores water bankruptcy on a global scale, highlighting how persistent overuse of water resources are pushing many water systems deeper into irreversible departure from historical baselines and insolvency with regards to the expenditure/natural recharge of freshwater resources. It calls for forward-looking planning, stronger governance, and management aligned with real hydrological limits.
Drawing on AWDO 2025’s assessment of 50 economies, the discussion will explore trends in rural, urban, economic, environmental, and disaster-related water security, identifying key vulnerabilities and high-impact policy responses. It will also address priorities for Shaping Asia’s Future Prosperity with Quality Growth by addressing investment needs, the gap between infrastructure expansion and service quality, and the urgency of nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, and improved governance.
Experts from UNU-INWEH and the Asian Development Bank will translate global frameworks into practical, region-specific insights for policymakers, development partners, and practitioners. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the shift from water crisis to water bankruptcy, recent regional water security trends, and actionable strategies to strengthen policy coherence, service delivery, climate-risk integration, and financing for resilient, inclusive water systems.
Objectives
Examine the concept of global water bankruptcy and its irreversible implications for ecosystems, economies, and human security.
Present evidence and analytical insights on the drivers, risks, and distributional impacts of unsustainable water use and depletion.
Facilitate dialogue among policymakers, practitioners, and researchers on governance pathways, policy reforms, and collaborative actions to prevent water crises and secure long-term water resilience.
Target Participants
- Policy makers in ministries of water, environment, and urban development
- Development partners, multilateral organizations, and civil society organizations working on water and sanitation
- Researchers and academics in environmental economics, public policy, and behavioral science
Partners
- Gates Foundation
- United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health
- Asian Development Bank