Together with partners from governments, multilateral organizations, academia, and civil society, IW:LEARN contributed to advancing dialogue, sharing lessons, and co-creating solutions for a water-secure future.

1. Groundwater: The Invisible Lifeline for Climate Adaptation

This packed session highlighted groundwater as a silent but powerful ally in climate adaptation. Speakers showcased diverse examples, from glacier-fed aquifers to transboundary cooperation in Africa and Latin America, demonstrating how innovative approaches can strengthen resilience, protect water quality, and safeguard livelihoods. The message was clear: groundwater must move from being overlooked to being a cornerstone of water security.

2. Water Diplomacy to Address Climate Vulnerability

Through real-world cases of droughts and floods in transboundary river basins, this session emphasized how water diplomacy prevents conflict and promotes sustainable development. Key lessons included the need for trust, multi-level governance, and strong legal frameworks to turn shared risks into shared opportunities for cooperation.

3. Measuring the Benefits of Transboundary Water Cooperation

Participants explored how to identify and communicate the often-overlooked benefits of cooperation. Examples from the Okavango, Danube, and Guarani basins demonstrated economic, social, and environmental gains, from reduced disaster costs to improved livelihoods and regional integration. Discussions stressed that cooperation benefits matter for decision-making today more than ever, and that science-policy dialogue is key to capturing and sharing them effectively.

4. Source-to-Sea Dialogue: Coherent Action Along the Water Continuum

This interactive dialogue reinforced that managing rivers, coasts, and oceans together is essential for climate resilience and biodiversity. Panelists and participants agreed that advancing the source-to-sea approach requires integration across sectors, practical guidance, and cooperation between upstream and downstream actors. Keeping source-to-sea on the policy agenda, from COP30 to the UN Water Conference, will be critical to scaling action.

5. The Future of Shared Ecosystems in Latin America and the Caribbean

In a session rich with regional perspectives, experts discussed the Amazon, glaciers, mangroves, and aquifers as shared ecosystems essential for climate resilience and sustainable development. Speakers underscored that cooperation starts with shared science, but also depends on legal frameworks, strong institutions, and inclusive participation of local communities, indigenous peoples, and youth. Regional examples, from Cuba’s watershed councils to the Trifinio tri-national plan, showed how cooperation can transform challenges into opportunities.

What's next? 

World Water Week 2025 confirmed that cooperation, innovation, and inclusive governance are the cornerstones of sustainable water management. For IW:LEARN, these discussions will feed into future exchanges, capacity building, and project support, ensuring that the lessons from Stockholm translate into stronger transboundary action worldwide.

We thank our partners and participants for their contributions and look forward to continuing this journey towards water security and resilience.

Learn more about World Water Week here: worldwaterweek.org