On December 3rd, the One Water Summit gathered high-level leaders, experts, and stakeholders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to tackle pressing global water challenges and advance international cooperation on water issues. Organized by the governments of France, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia, with the support of the World Bank, this summit provided a unique platform to discuss strategies for achieving SDG 6 and beyond, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.
Our Mobilization at the Summit
The International Secretariat for Water (ISW) was honored to lead the youth mobilization at this pivotal event. Representing the Global Youth Movement for Water, we showcased a powerful video highlighting youth-led water initiatives from across the globe. These projects emphasized the creativity, resilience, and solutions-oriented mindset of young people working to address water challenges at local and global levels.
A particularly significant moment during the summit was the announcement of the official launch of the French and Kazakh Parliaments for Water. This announcement was delivered by Daniel and Kuanysh, two passionate young leaders, who emphasized the importance of empowering youth as active stakeholders in water diplomacy and decision-making processes.
Shaping the Future of Water Governance
The One Water Summit was not only a moment to share impactful solutions but also an opportunity to strengthen key partnerships and pave the way for future milestones in global water governance. Discussions held with various stakeholders, including the Special Envoy on Water and Sanitation and representatives from the co-organizers of the 2026 UN Water Conference (Senegal and the UAE), were instrumental in advancing our shared vision for inclusive and sustainable water management. These engagements also set the stage for further collaboration leading to the 11th World Water Forum, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
This summit reaffirmed the critical role of civil society, including youth, women, and marginalized communities, in achieving water security. By ensuring their voices are heard and their initiatives are supported, we can build more equitable and sustainable solutions for water challenges.
Looking Ahead
As we move toward the next milestones—such as the UN 2026 Water Conference and the World Water Forum 2027—our commitment remains steadfast: to champion youth and civil society in shaping the future of water governance.