Water security is a cornerstone of sustainable development and a key component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6. Yet global water systems are facing mounting pressure. Rivers, lakes, wetlands, groundwater reserves, and glaciers are all under stress, while demand for water continues to rise across agriculture, energy production, industry, and emerging technologies such as AI data centers.
The latest flagship report from the United Nations University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) warns that this growing imbalance between water supply and demand could lead to a potentially irreversible condition described as "Water Bankruptcy"—a state in which available freshwater resources can no longer meet societal needs.
To explore the implications of this emerging crisis and identify practical solutions, the World Academy of Arts and Science's Existential Threats and Risks to All (EXTRA) initiative is convening a panel of international experts with experience spanning environmental policy, climate science, water management, and sustainable development.
Together, the panelists will examine the drivers of global water insecurity, discuss regional and sector-specific challenges, and explore strategies for improving resilience, governance, and sustainable water management. As competition for freshwater resources intensifies worldwide, understanding the risks—and the available countermeasures—has never been more important.
Webinar Date: June 10, 5:00 AM in Arizona
The recording will be available afterwards on the EXTRA YouTube Channel.