As preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference (to be held in December 2026) advance, strengthening the science–policy interface and mobilizing research and evidence are essential to accelerating progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.
The United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) will co-organize the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2026 Side Event, “UN Water Conference Academic Hub: Mobilizing Research and Evidence for Effective Outcomes,” with Albania, Japan (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), Senegal, South Africa, the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), the United Nations Water (UN-Water).
The UN Water Conference Academic Hub, launched in January 2026, is a joint initiative co-led by the United Nations University (UNU), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and other partners and provides a collaborative platform to mobilize knowledge, expertise and diverse perspectives in support of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
This side event will introduce the UN Water Conference Academic Hub as a structured, inclusive, and solutions-oriented platform, and explore how policy-relevant research and scientific evidence can inform multilateral decision-making and support action on water, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. The event will also highlight practical opportunities for sustained academic engagement through the Conference preparatory process, the Interactive Dialogues, World Water Week and other key policy platforms, while fostering collaboration among academia, Member States, UN entities and other stakeholders to strengthen the translation of knowledge into action and contribute to more ambitious and evidence-based outcomes for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
Outline of the Event:
Date and Time: 13:15-14:30, 9 July 2026
Venue: CR-F, UN Headquarters / Online
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