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In celebration of 30 years of the work of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) at the intersection of water, environment and health, Global Affairs Canada and UNU-INWEH will convene a high-level policy roundtable in Ottawa to reflect on three decades of impact, recognize Canada’s longstanding support for the Institute, and consider emerging priorities for water security and sustainable development.
The roundtable will take place on Monday, 2 November 2026, from 14:30 to 16:30, in Ottawa, Ontario, bringing together representatives from government, the diplomatic and international community, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global water landscape, the discussion will examine the implications of growing water risks for Canada and the wider international community. It will explore the connections between water security and climate resilience, food and energy security, public health, economic stability, and international cooperation, as well as opportunities to strengthen water governance and collective action. Held ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, the roundtable will also provide an opportunity to consider Canada’s engagement in the global water agenda and identify priorities for international cooperation in the years ahead.
The programme will include remarks by Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Rector of the United Nations University, alongside Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH and 2026 Stockholm Water Prize laureate, and other leading voices from the water research and policy community.
Session Agenda
14:00 – 14:30 — Registration
14:30 – 14:50 — Official Welcome & High-Level Opening Remarks
14:50 – 15:10 — Keynote Speech and Setting the Scene
15:10 – 15:45 — Dialogue on Global Water Agenda
15:45 – 16:20 — Dialogue on Canada’s Water Story: Science, Policy, Innovation and Governance
16:20 – 16:30 — Closing Remarks
