The OECD actively participated in the UN 2023 Water Conference from 22-24 March in New York. It was a key event for the global water community as it was the first UN Water event in 47 years and it aimed to result in a bold Water Action Agenda.

The key building blocks of the Water Action Agenda are:

• commitment to action
• sustained and scalable implementation
• follow-up and review processes
  
  

Find out about our side events and participation as well as our related OECD work on water. 

Select events co-convened by the OECD

Wednesday 22 March 

• Climate impact and financing adaptation: Water as leverage
  13:00-17:00 EST (730 3rd Avenue, New York)
  This side event aimed to demonstrate the approach of the Water as Leverage Programme for worldwide urban climate resilience. During the session, the approach was demonstrated by a deep dive into Water as Leverage in Cartagena, with key note speakers from the Government of Colombia and the European Investment Bank. The ambition to scale Water as Leverage globally was announced by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management and was illustrated by statements from representatives from past and current Water as Leverage partners (both governmental and non-governmental).   
  OECD speaker: Xavier Leflaive, Water Team Lead in the Climate, Biodiversity and Water Division
  
  

Thursday 23 March

• The economics of water: Transforming governance to secure a sustainable, just and prosperous future
  15:00-18:00 EST (Conference Room 2, UNHQ, New York) | Agenda
  Special event co-convened by the OECD and the Global Commission on the Economics of Water
  OECD participation:
  Xavier Leflaive, Water Team Lead in the Climate, Biodiversity and Water Division
  Aude Farnault, Policy Analyst, Water Team in the Climate, Biodiversity and Water Division
  Anna Dupont, Senior Policy Advisor, Water Team in the Climate, Biodiversity and Water Division
  
  

• 10-year anniversary of the OECD Water Governance Initiative
  18:30 EST (Austrian Cultural Forum, New York)
  This anniversary event took members on a journey through the WGI’s history, from the Initiative’s first steps to recent achievements, while also looking at how the WGI can navigate the waters in the coming decade. 
  OECD speaker: Barbara Pompili, Chair of the OECD Water Governance Initiative, French Member of Parliament and former Minister for the Ecological Transition of France 
  
  

Friday 24 March 

• Side event - Localising the blue economy: A city-basin approach
  08:00-09:30 EST (Conference Room 8, UNHQ) | Agenda 
  Organised by the OECD Water Governance Programme, this event gathered Ministers and executive leaders of international organisations to take stock of initiatives, accelerators and concrete actions and commitments to foster resilient, inclusive, sustainable and circular blue economies while enhancing water security in cities and basins. 
  OECD speaker: Barbara Pompili, Chair of the OECD Water Governance Initiative, French Member of Parliament and former Minister for the Ecological Transition of France
  
  

• Side event - A city-basin approach to water security in Africa: Solutions and commitments
  14:00-15:15 EST (Conference Room 4, UNHQ) | Agenda 
  Organised by UCLG-Africa and the OECD, this event discussed leveraging city-basin governance to boost water security in African municipalities and unlocking their potential to achieve SDG 6 through the Action Plan of Mayors, Local and Regional Governments for Water Security. 
  OECD speaker: Barbara Pompili, Chair of the OECD Water Governance Initiative, French Member of Parliament and former Minister for the Ecological Transition of France
  
  

Events on Financing water and other water policies issues

• Check out the full list of events on the topic, where the OECD takes part.
  
  

Events on water governance, cities, circular and blue economy

• Check out the full list of events on the topic, where the OECD takes part.
  
  

Events organised by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water

• Meet and engage with the Global Commission at these events.
  
  

Related OECD work

Reports and paper

• Financing a Water Secure Future (report)
  
• OECD Principles on Water Governance (report)
• Strategic Investment Pathways for resilient water systems (working paper)
  
  

Brochures

•  How to Assess Water Governance
  
  
• OECD work on water
  
  

Blog

• Financing Water: beyond traditional economic thinking, it’s time for global action

Websites

• OECD Water Challenge
  
• OECD Water Governance Initiative
  
• Global Commission on the Economics of Water