PAKISTAN WATER WEEK 2025

Background and the Context

Pakistan Water Week (PWW) is a flagship annual policy event launched in 2021 by the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Ministry of Water Resources, Government of Pakistan. The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) provide critical insights into government priorities and actively lead policy formulation based on the recommendations emerging from Pakistan Water Week, ensuring strong alignment with national strategies. Financial and technical support from development partners such as GIZ, UNICEF, FCDO, USAID and CGIAR’s Science Initiatives, have further strengthened the event and expanded its outreach and policy impact.
Held annually in Islamabad, PWW has become Pakistan’s most prominent platform for advancing strategic dialogues and partnerships around the water-energy-food-environment nexus. It serves as a dynamic platform where policymakers, international experts, researchers, development practitioners, youth leaders, and civil society organizations gather to co-create and share innovative, climate-resilient solutions for Pakistan’s water and food security challenges.

Participants

A hallmark of PWW is its hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation. This approach ensures broad access, enabling the inclusion of experts and stakeholders from across Pakistan and abroad. Distinguished international participants from the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan and other countries have consistently attended in person, reinforcing the global significance of the event. IWMI’s senior global leadership, including its Board Chair, Director General, Deputy Director General, Strategic Program Directors, and researchers, have consistently contributed to shaping the agenda and guiding the annual discourse.

Format of the PWW

Each edition of PWW is built around a carefully selected theme that aligns with national development priorities and global climate discourse. The event is structured into three main technical areas, each comprising eight thematic sessions, covering key subjects such as water governance, sustainable agriculture, digital technologies, climate adaptation, gender equity, and transboundary water issues. These sessions provide an inclusive and interactive platform for knowledge exchange, policy development, and capacity building.
The PWW typically inaugurated at a highest level e.g., by the President of Pakistan or a Federal Minister from relevant ministry. This is followed by a high-level plenary where donors and development partners present their initiatives, commitments, and perspectives on water, climate, and environmental priorities. After the plenary, the agenda transitions into parallel breakout sessions, conducted simultaneously in three separate halls.
There are typically 24 thematic sessions provide deeper into critical policy issues, enabling focused dialogue, technical exchange, and solution-oriented discussions across the water-energy-food-environment nexus. The event culminates in a closing session where thematic leads present key takeaways on topics such as equitable water governance, climate adaptation, and technological innovation. The final session is a collective call to action, a reaffirmation of commitment from all stakeholders to translate knowledge into concrete policies and investments to build a climate-resilient, water-secure future for Pakistan. One of key highlight is engagement of youth and encouraging innovation.

An Emerging Platform for Knowledge Sharing

Pakistan Water Week has emerged as an important policy and knowledge-sharing platform that amplifies science-driven solutions, nurtures cross-sector partnerships, and champions inclusive governance in the face of climate change. With continued leadership from IWMI, strong participation from national ministries, and growing support from international development agencies, PWW remains key to advancing a water-secure and climate-resilient future for Pakistan. More than an event, it is a movement toward resilience, sustainability, and equity.

Schedule for PWW 2025

Pakistan Water Week 2025 is scheduled to take place from 3-7 November 2025 in Islamabad. While the theme, technical areas, and detailed session structure are being finalized, the event promises to build on the momentum of previous years and continue offering a collaborative platform for charting practical solutions for water and food security in the face of growing climate challenges.