Sweden and Japan Unite for Water and Climate Action at Tokyo Seminar

News.Apr 28, 2025

In the presence of His Majesty the King of Sweden, global experts will gather to explore water’s role in designing future societies during a high-level seminar in Tokyo.

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.

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On 16 May 2025, the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and the Embassy of Sweden to Japan, in collaboration with the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo, will host the seminar “Water as the Enabler for Climate Action and the Future Society of Our Lives.” The event will convene leading voices from research, government, and industry to underscore the essential role of water in building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable societies.

The seminar forms part of Sweden’s broader engagement with Japan, following celebrations of Sweden’s World Expo National Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka on 14 May. Under the Expo theme “Join Sweden to Pioneer the Possible,” Sweden invites Japan — and the world — to collaborate in strategically important areas. His Majesty the King of Sweden will lead the Swedish delegation, accompanied by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, along with representatives from Swedish business, government agencies, academia, research institutions, and the creative industries.

Held during the official Swedish State Visit to Japan — and aligned with Expo 2025 Osaka’s overarching theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” — the seminar is a strong signal of growing Swedish-Japanese collaboration on climate innovation.

BY:

Christina Bergstrand

Senior Communications Manager

christina.bergstrand@siwi.org

072-0506012

Thomas Rebermark

Director Swedish Water House and International Policy

thomas.rebermark@siwi.org

+46 (0)72 0506 085

Water’s role in shaping climate resilience and sustainable societies is profound yet often underestimated. As a connector of regions, sectors, and people, water is one of our most powerful tools to address the climate crisis and create equitable, thriving societies and a climate-secure future. We are honoured to co-convene this seminar alongside the Swedish Embassy and UNU, in the presence of His Majesty the King, to inspire action through cooperation and innovation.
— Thomas Rebermark, Director of International Policy and Engagement at SIWI.

Among the experts participating is Professor Taikan Oki, the 2024 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate and a globally recognised hydrologist from the University of Tokyo. The seminar will showcase how climate-smart water management can drive prosperity across national and sectoral boundaries — a perspective increasingly central to global climate dialogue, as demonstrated by the Water for Climate Pavilion at COP29, co-chaired by SIWI.

Professor Taikan Oki, 2024 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate, at an interview

Building on the strategic partnership between Sweden and Japan, the seminar highlights the potential of cross-sector and international collaboration. From innovative value chains to inclusive water governance, both countries bring unique strengths to the global sustainability agenda.

As Japan prepares to welcome the world to Expo 2025, Sweden’s participation aims to position its expertise and solutions at the forefront of climate and sustainability challenges. This seminar is one of several key initiatives supporting that ambition — and a platform for exchanging knowledge and building lasting partnerships.

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

Held in the presence of His Majesty the King of Sweden, this high-level seminar explores how water can act as a catalyst for climate action and the creation of future-proof societies. Co-hosted by the Embassy of Sweden to Japan and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), the event brings together leading voices from Japan and Sweden — including the 2024 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate Professor Taikan Oki — for an inspiring dialogue on innovation, resilience, and international cooperation.