New Delhi | The Jal Shakti ministry is set to host the World Water Day Conclave 2026 in the national capital on March 23, with over 700 delegates expected to participate in the conference.
Observed globally on March 22, World Water Day highlights the importance of freshwater and the urgent need for sustainable water management, with this year's theme being "Water and Gender".
According to the Ministry, the conclave will serve as a national platform for dialogue, innovation and collaboration for sustainable water management, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, startups, MSMEs, and young innovators.
The conclave will emphasise the role of industry in improving water-use efficiency, recycling and reuse, marking a shift from water users to water stewards adopting sustainable practices, it said.
Key highlights include the felicitation of Jal Shakti Hackathon winners and the release of major national reports such as the '7th Minor Irrigation Census, '2nd Census of Water Bodies', '1st Census of Springs', '1st Census of Major & Medium Irrigation Projects', technical and thematic publications, and the National Water Data Policy, the ministry said.
Four thematic sessions will focus on sludge management, industry-led water efficiency using AI and IoT, glacier systems and climate resilience, and the use of water census data for planning.
The Ministry will also highlight initiatives promoting research and innovation in the water sector, fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia.
The concept of World Water Day was first proposed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Rio de Janeiro, in 1992.
Subsequently, the United Nations General Assembly designated March 22 as World Water Day, observed annually since 1993 to raise awareness about the 2.1 billion people living without access to safe water. A core focus of the Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.
The conclave, to be held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, will culminate in a Joint Industry Declaration reaffirming commitment towards sustainable water stewardship, the statement said.