Dr. Sharon B. Megdal Participates at the Water Diplomacy Symposium 2023 in New York

Last March 21, Dr. Megdal attended the 2023 Water Diplomacy Symposium. The symposium was convened by the Women in Water Diplomacy Network in partnership with the Environmental Law Institute, the Stockholm International Water Institute, the International Joint Commission, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and the University of Arizona as a side event of the 2023 UN Water Conference in New York City. 

The primary aim of the symposium was to foster networking, forge partnerships, and facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices among formal and informal water diplomats attending the UN Water Conference. It centered on addressing critical themes of utmost importance to transboundary basins worldwide, with a specific focus on water-insecure and conflict-sensitive basins. 

The Women in Water Diplomacy Network comprises members from various initiatives, including the Women in Water Diplomacy Network in the Nile (initiated in 2017) and the Women in Water Management Network in Central Asia and Afghanistan (initiated in 2021). Additionally, the network welcomed supporters of both initiatives and representatives from emerging basin communities in Africa and the Americas. 

During the symposium, Dr. Sharon B. Megdal moderated a highly engaging session titled "Effective Consultation and Community Engagement in Water Diplomacy Processes." The expert panelists joining her included Lyazzat Syrlybayeva, Co-Lead of the Central Asia Youth for Water Network; Commissioner Henry Lickers from the Canadian Section of the International Joint Commission; Chairwoman Amelia Flores, representing the Colorado River Indian Tribes; and Firmina Acuba, a Senior Sociologist from the Ministry of Water and Environment in Uganda. Dr. Megdal's insights resonated profoundly during the session focused on "The Power of Information Exchange." 

The Water Diplomacy Symposium 2023 not only provided a platform for enriching discussions but also served as a remarkable opportunity for informal networking with basin representatives from diverse regions worldwide. The collective commitment and spirit of collaboration displayed at the symposium signal the potential for innovative solutions to address complex water challenges on a global scale. 

As the symposium concluded, the dedication and passion exhibited by the participants reaffirmed the importance of water diplomacy in building sustainable solutions and nurturing water resilience across the globe.