Abstract Submission Form
Guideline
The Hydro Commons and Intersectional Water Justice
The 12th International Water Conference (IWC), hosted by ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB), will be held on 24-25 January 2027.
Since 2016, the International Water Conference series has become a flagship global initiative of AAB, bringing together scholars, activists, policymakers, and communities to advance a collective vision of water justice, rights, and accountable governance.
Objectives of the Conference
The 12th International Water Conference aims to:
- Examine emerging and interconnected water challenges in policies and practices.
- Strengthen dialogue on transboundary water by bringing reparative and intersectional perspectives into water discourse.
- Connect knowledge, policy, and practice to create a platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
Conference Themes
The 12th International Water Conference will explore five interconnected thematic areas that reflect emerging challenges and opportunities in water, climate, technology, transboundary relations, and coastal ecosystems. Together, these themes will provide space for research, policy dialogue, practice-based learning, and critical reflection on pathways towards more equitable and sustainable water futures.
Theme 1: Water Stress and Shared Responsibilities
Water stress is increasingly caused by climate change – changing rainfall patterns, groundwater depletion, pollution, competing demands, and growing pressure on freshwater systems. While water stress is often understood through the lens of physical scarcity, it is also economic, social, and political. Thereby, it reflects questions of access, distribution, consumption, responsibility, and unequal pressures on water resources.
This theme explores how different actors can contribute to addressing growing water stress; how shared responsibilities, across both domestic and global dimensions, can support sustainable, equitable, and resilient water futures. It will also cover the role of water conservation, responsible water use, ecosystem protection, and collective action in responding to increasing water insecurity.
Theme 2: Politics of Transboundary Water
Water systems transcend political boundaries, making transboundary cooperation essential for sustainable water management and regional stability. Bangladesh's rivers and water systems are closely connected with upstream and downstream developments, leading to questions of river flows, equitable sharing, data exchange, ecological sustainability, and cooperation particularly significant.
This theme will examine the political, ecological, and institutional dimensions of transboundary waters, with particular attention to the possibilities of cooperation, dialogue, and water peace. It will explore how shared water systems can become spaces of collaboration rather than contestation.
Theme 3: Water Equity and Climate Risk
Climate change is intensifying water-related risks through floods, droughts, cyclones, sea-level rise, erosion, changing rainfall patterns, and salinity intrusion. Across the South Asian region, increasing salinity and freshwater stress pose significant challenges to water security, ecosystems, agriculture, livelihoods, and human well-being.
This theme will explore the relationship between climate risk, salinity, and equitable access to water. It will consider how climate impacts are differentiated across geographical and social contexts and how adaptation, resilience, and water-related interventions can address existing inequalities.
Theme 4: Water Futures – Technological Innovation and Beyond
Rapid developments in artificial intelligence, remote sensing, digital technologies, data analytics, and predictive systems are creating new possibilities for addressing water-related challenges. These technologies can support water monitoring, forecasting, early warning, climate risk assessment, water quality management, water justice, and evidence-based decision-making. However, technological innovation also raises questions around digital access, data ownership, transparency, accountability, affordability, and the risk of creating new forms of exclusion.
This theme will explore how technology can contribute to inclusive and equitable water futures while ensuring that innovation remains accessible, responsible, and responsive to real-world needs.
Theme 5: Blue Economy and Coastal Water Governance
Coastal and marine ecosystems play a critical role in climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, livelihoods, food security, and coastal resilience. Mangroves, tidal wetlands, estuaries, and other blue carbon ecosystems provide important ecological services while also supporting economic activities and livelihoods. Growing interest in blue carbon and the blue economy creates opportunities for climate action. But at the same time, it raises important questions around ecological integrity, resource use, benefit-sharing, and the governance of coastal and marine resources.
This theme will explore how blue carbon approach and coastal water governance can contribute to sustainable coastal futures while balancing environmental protection, economic interests, and equity.
Event Modality
The 12th International Water Conference 2027 will be held both online and offline. Details will be shared later.
Expected Outcomes
• A stronger conceptual and practical understanding of the Hydro Commons and its relevance to contemporary water justice.
• Enhanced dialogue on transboundary water cooperation and water peace.
• Greater attention to intersectional water insecurity, particularly in the context of climate risk.
• Critical and constructive perspectives on AI, digital technologies, and inclusive water futures.
• Strengthened connections among researchers, policymakers, activists, and practitioners across countries and regions.
Abstract Submission Deadline: 31st October 2026
Submit Your Abstract: Here
The story behind Hydro Commons
Water is central to our lives, livelihoods, cultures, and ecosystems. Rivers, wetlands, groundwater, and coastal waters are closely connected, but they are under growing pressure from climate change, pollution, overuse, environmental degradation, and unequal access. The idea of the Hydro Commons invites us to see water not simply as a resource, but as a shared and living system that connects people, nature, and generations. It calls for greater care, shared responsibility, and collective stewardship of water.
Water justice is also shaped by histories of inequality and environmental loss. The impacts of water insecurity are not the same for everyone. Floods, droughts, salinity, erosion, pollution, and freshwater shortages often affect vulnerable areas more severely, while the benefits of water resources and development are not always shared fairly. This raises important questions about reparations, responsibility, restoration, and fairness, and how past and present water-related injustices can be addressed.
For Bangladesh, these challenges are particularly important. The country’s rivers, wetlands, floodplains, and coastal ecosystems are increasingly affected by sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, floods, cyclones, droughts, changing rainfall, and river erosion. Bangladesh shares 57 transboundary rivers, making cooperation and equitable water sharing essential. Changes in river flows can increase freshwater shortages, salinity, and ecological pressure, especially in the southwest and coastal areas. Ensuring sustainable shared rivers requires greater cooperation, trust, sharing of information, and a stronger focus on water peace.
Contact Us
Email: internationalwaterconference@gmail.com
