Water connects us all: the Netherlands at World Water Week 2026

How can we secure water for people, food and nature in a changing climate? From 23–27 August, World Water Week brings the international water community together in Stockholm and online.

Under this year’s theme, ‘Water for People and Progress’, the Netherlands will work with international partners to turn shared ambitions into action. Water security is closely connected to food production, healthy ecosystems, trade and resilient economies. Because water risks cross sectors and borders, lasting solutions require cooperation between governments, businesses, communities, financial actors and knowledge institutions. At World Water Week, the Netherlands will contribute practical experience, evidence and partnerships, with a focus on collective action and long-term water resilience.

Programme highlights

One of the Netherlands’ flagship sessions, ‘Water for Tomorrow: Shaping Future Agricultural Food and Trade Systems’, will explore how food production and international trade can better account for water scarcity. Together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG), the Netherlands will look at managing water collectively across landscapes while balancing the needs of people, food production, nature and local economies.

The three-part Water in Business programme will focus on moving beyond individual commitments towards collective action, measurable results and investment in long-term water resilience. This reflects the Netherlands’ approach that shared water risks require cooperation across businesses, governments, financiers and communities.

Finance and international cooperation will also be on the agenda. A panel with governments, development banks and climate finance institutions will explore how existing commitments can lead to investment and action, building momentum towards and beyond the UN 2026 Water Conference.

Meet the Netherlands in Stockholm

Throughout World Water Week, the Netherlands Booth will be a meeting point for Dutch and international water professionals to exchange knowledge, build connections and explore opportunities for cooperation.