Water as enabler for climate action and the future society of our lives

Water’s importance in converting the global climate situation is tremendous but often understated. The hydrological cycle is of special role here, as shown in the recent report of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water. It highlights the need for cooperation as it connects regions and nations and cannot be separated from climate change or the loss of biodiversity and impacts all the SDGs. But cooperation is not only needed between countries, like this Japanese Swedish collaboration exemplifies, but also across sectors. 

Collaboration and innovation can function as enablers to increase climate resilience and in building equitable and prosperous societies forward. In line with the theme of this year’s Expo main theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” join 2024 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate Prof. Taikan Oki and several other experts and solution architects for this seminar.  

The Embassy of Sweden to Japan and Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and the United Nations University are excited to invite you to attend a jointly hosted seminar on the importance of water management in tackling climate change. The event will be organized together with Professor Oki Taikan, recipient of the 2024 Stockholm International Water Prize and world-renowned researcher in hydrology at the University of Tokyo. The dialogue will be held, in the presence of His Majesty the King, at the UN University in the afternoon of May 16th and will gather experts from academia, public and private sectors, and re-affirm the mutual interest of Sweden and Japan in working more closely in research and innovation to respond to the changing global environment. The mutual interests and values are in line with the key cooperation areas highlighted in the Strategic Partnership agreed upon by the Prime Minister’s of Sweden and Japan in December 2024, as well as the main theme of this year’s EXPO 2025 Osaka “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” 

With this seminar we aim to raise awareness about the interlinks between sound water resource management, climate, and prosperous societies. This by bringing in different perspectives from research to private sector, we will showcase Japanese and Swedish cross sector competence and amongst other how Sweden can contribute with innovative value chain solutions.