Since the UNFCCC COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, the Water for Climate Pavilion has been co-organized annually in the Blue Zone, creating space for valuable exchange among negotiators, decision-makers and non-state actors. It seeks to support ongoing, step-wise collective action where sound water management and climate-resilient services are seen as solutions to achieving long-term climate goals.
In 2023, the Water Pavilion is located Thematic Arena 2 at Expo City Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) between 30 November and 12 December. The website will also serve to federate collective action by the community on an ongoing basis, in between COPs.
The Water for Climate Pavilion offers:
- Science-based resources and examples – learn more in our Knowledge hub
- A range of events that demonstrate transformative climate solutions – check out the programme where all events can be followed online
- Learn about and link to informal and formal UNFCCC processes – connect with our Water Connectors
Who we are
The Water for Climate Pavilion brings together some 60 partners from Governments, international and intergovernmental institutions, NGOs, and the private sector. It is formally supported by the governments of Egypt, Germany, The Netherlands, Senegal, Slovenia, Sweden, Tajikistan, and the UK.
All partners share the same commitment to science-based policies that place water as a tool to accelerate climate action. With the broad range of expertise from our numerous partners, we can demonstrate transformative water solutions for climate resilience across all sectors and governance levels.
What we do
A key objective for the Water Pavilion is to raise awareness of how water security, sound water management and services, and water risk reduction offer important but often under-utilized climate solutions.
This potential should be reflected within UNFCCC dialogues and recognized in the formal COP28 outcomes. We also share knowledge that can help governments design more impactful Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Objectives for the COP28 Water Pavilion
- Unify the voice of the international water community before, during and after COP28;
- Further promote water security, sound water management and services, and water risk reduction as climate solutions within UNFCCC dialogues and reflect advances for water within the broad scope of formal COP28 outcomes under the Paris Agreement instruments;
- Reinforce relationships with party negotiators and party groupings who can be vocal champions for water within the formal negotiation spaces and towards the negotiating teams;
- Make the Water for Climate Pavilion inviting for collaboration with non-water stakeholders and actively seek out collaboration with other pavilions;
- Further advance climate commitments registered in the Water Action Agenda;
- Contribute to advancing the operationalization of the AWARe Initiative.
Influencing UNFCCC processes
A growing body of research shows the crucial role of water in climate resilience. We aim to make this knowledge available to Parties through UNFCCC mechanisms by creating trustful relationships between the climate and water communities, supported by ongoing dialogue and advice. Some individuals will follow particular discussions in order to actively make those connections. At COP28 in 2023, of particular interest will be:
- The first Global Stocktake, assessing progress since the 2015 Paris Agreement. This two-year consultation process comes to an end at COP28. The Water Pavilion encourages parties to review progress on their climate goals through a water lens and to further prioritize continued water action for climate resilience within their newly revised and hopefully more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions.
- The Global Goal on Adaptation, where COP28 should establish a framework for how adaptation can be monitored and evaluated. Water aspects will be crucial since climate impacts usually materialize in the form of too much or too little water.
Collaboration with other pavilions
The Water for Climate Pavilion works closely and collaboratively with like-minded pavilions to foster cross-fertilization between sectors.
To find out more about collaboration opportunities, contact SIWI.
Learn more about the important work of the:
- Food and Agriculture Pavilion
- Food Systems
- Food 4 Climate Pavilion
- Resilience Hub
- Nature Positive
- Oceans Pavilion
- Waste Pavilion
- WHO/Health Pavilion
- Faith Pavilion
- Youth
- SDG Pavilion
- UNCCD
- IUCN Pavilion
- World Bank Pavilion
- Asian Development Bank
- GEF-GCF
- WWF
- Global Commons Alliance
- Luxembourg
- Senegal
- Commonwealth Pavilion
- Canadian Pavilion
- Swedish Pavilion