History of the World Water Forums

The World Water Forum (WWF) is one of the largest international water-related events, organized every three years by the World Water Council (WWC) in collaboration with the host country.  Its aim is to put water on the international agenda. It is dependent on a lengthy, multi-stakeholder preparatory process that culminates in one week of sessions, debates and related cultural activities.

Previous Forums include Morocco (1997), the Netherlands (2000), Japan (2003) and Mexico (2006).  The most recent World Water Forum, "Bridging Divides for Water," was held in Istanbul, Turkey, 16-22 March 2009.

The forums seek to focus international attention on how water is vital to many pressing world issues such as poverty, health and security.  Past forums have produced a variety of outcomes, from ministerial statements to documents debated within the G-8. World Water Forum 5 focused on water actions needed to help adapt to world changes, especially climate changes. The Forum was a place where people from every sector could gather to debate and to find common solutions to water-related problems.

More information can be found on the World Water Forum 5 website