The XIX World Water Congress, held in Marrakesh, Morocco, in December, was Water in a Changing World: Innovation and Adaptation. It was a fitting occasion to showcase research results from SD-WISHEES in the penultimate year of the project. The theme reflected the Congress’s focus on how water systems, governance and research must adapt to climate change, growing inequality, demographic pressure and environmental degradation, while accelerating innovation, interdisciplinary science and inclusive solutions.

Special Sessions at the World Water Congress

The Special Session on North–South Collaboration on 3 December showcased concrete examples of cooperation between Europe, Africa and other regions. The session highlighted how joint research and innovation initiatives foster mutual learning, support context-specific solutions and strengthen capacity for sustainable and equitable water management.

Contributions from initiatives such as SD-WISHEES demonstrated the added value of co-designed approaches that bridge scientific excellence with local relevance.

Another key moment was the Special Session on Empowering Women in Water Research, held at 08:30 on 3 December. This session addressed structural barriers faced by women in water science and innovation, highlighting strategies to promote leadership, visibility and equitable participation in research programmes.

Amanda Loeffen, representing Human Right 2 Water and SD-WISHEES, contributed to discussions on the importance of rights-based and gender-responsive approaches in water research and governance, linking scientific inclusion with broader social impact. Overall, the Marrakesh Congress reinforced a shared commitment to collaboration, inclusion and innovation as essential pillars for advancing sustainable and just water futures worldwide.

 

Side Event

The importance of North–South water research and innovation cooperation between Europe and Africa

EU Partnership Water4All and the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) co-hosted a session with SD-WISHEES on the topic of “The importance of North–South water research and innovation cooperation between Europe and Africa.”

Both partnerships adopt an integrated, solution-oriented and multi-stakeholder approach aimed at building research and innovation capacity, while developing knowledge and practical solutions for water management, supply and protection.

SD-WISHEES contributed concrete examples of innovation pathways supporting the protection of cultural heritage against hydroclimatic extreme events. Presented by Dr Boniface Ayanbekongshie Ushie , the project highlighted key enablers and barriers for innovation pathways protecting #culturalheritage from #hydroclimatic #extremeevents.
Key areas identified include:

• Capacity building, training and knowledge exchange
• Technology tools and methods
• Co-creation, engagement and local knowledge
• Governance, partnerships and funding

 

Event Details

Organisers: EU Partnership Water4All and PRIMA Date & Time: Wednesday, 3 December — 16:15 to 17:45 This side event highlighted how joint Europe–Africa cooperation delivers mutual benefits, showcasing outcomes, challenges and lessons learned from collaborative initiatives involving partners across both regions.

Programme

• 16:15 — Welcome — Bjørn Kaare Jensen (Chairman, Water4All) & Ali Rhouma (Project Officer, PRIMA)
• 16:25 — Relevance of Water4All activities for Africa — Bjørn Kaare Jensen
• 16:35 — Lessons learned from strategic partnerships — Ali Rhouma (PRIMA)
• 16:45 — Water4All international strategy — Antonio Loporto (Water4All)
• 16:55 — SD-WISHEES case studies from Europe and Africa — Dr Boniface Ushie
• 17:10 — Traditional water systems and modern innovation — Prof. Michael Jacobson (UM6P)
• 17:25 — I4WASH and climate resilience in Kenya — Scott Grønnegaard Allison (CleanCluster)
• 17:35 — React4Med and research cooperation — Rachid Mrabet (INRA)
• 17:45 — Closing and wrap-up