WATERHer for Humanity: Science-Based Leadership for a Water-Secure, Climate-Resilient Future

Convened under the guiding mandate of the 81st Session, Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation, the event will bring together Ministers, senior United Nations officials, scientists, innovators, development partners and civil society to address science-based water governance, climate resilience, innovation and partnership, and women’s leadership in water and climate governance through the WATERHer Initiative.

Water lies at the heart of climate resilience, public health, food security, sustainable livelihoods, gender equality and peace. Yet water insecurity today is driven as much by governance gaps, weak institutions and the exclusion of women from decision-making as by environmental pressure itself. A water-secure, climate-resilient future is therefore as much a question of governance as of hydrology.

Through the WATERHer Initiative, the event invites Member States to recognize women not only as beneficiaries of development, but as scientists, policymakers, innovators, negotiators and leaders shaping national and global water security agendas. Evidence consistently demonstrates that women’s participation improves the transparency, accountability and long-term sustainability of water management systems.