Green water—defined as precipitation, evaporation, and soil moisture held within terrestrial ecosystems—is a vital but often overlooked part of the global water cycle. It supports food production, ecosystem functioning, and climate resilience, yet remains insufficiently reflected in water governance and policy processes. Recent scientific and policy dialogues, including the Global Commission on the Economics of Water report, have emphasized the importance of bringing green water into global water and climate agendas.
UNESCO is well positioned to advance this work through its leadership of the AWARe initiative launched at COP27, as well as through multiple outputs of IHP-IX (including Outputs 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, and 4.6). Holding this seminar immediately after the Extraordinary Session of the IHP Council offers a valuable opportunity to engage Member States and decision-makers, reinforcing UNESCO’s comparative strength in connecting scientific knowledge with policy action.
Aligned with the 50th anniversary of IHP, 60 years of UNESCO’s water science, and the election of the new IHP Bureau, the event provides a timely platform to deepen international cooperation by advancing UNESCO’s convening role on green water for sustainable development.
Keynote Address was given by Mr Henk Ovink, Executive Director, Global Commission on the Economics while High level State was given by Ms Musomba Mumbo Secretar General Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Moderator of Panel Discussion: “Green water for life, peace and prosperity” was Mr Koen Verbist, Programme Specialist, UNESCO IHP . This important dialog followed online dr Brankica Majkić-Dursun and dr Vesna Tripković.
