The 11th World Water Forum Secretariat has officially launched its Call for Expression of Interest, inviting institutions and experts from across the global water community to help shape the content and direction of the Forum’s Thematic Process.
As preparations for the 11th World Water Forum continue, the Thematic Process stands as one of the event’s core pillars — bringing together diverse voices to examine the most pressing water-related challenges of our time and translate them into actionable knowledge, policy recommendations, and cooperative solutions.
This Call invites institutions and individuals with relevant expertise, field experience, and innovative practices to contribute directly to the design and delivery of the Forum’s Thematic Sessions.
Why This Matters
The strength of the World Water Forum lies in the breadth and depth of the community that shapes it. By opening the Thematic Sessions to contributions from across the global water sector, the Forum ensures that its discussions remain grounded in real-world experience — from technical innovation and policy design to community-based solutions and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Institutions and experts selected through this process will play a direct role in shaping the substance of the Forum, ensuring that its outcomes reflect the diversity of challenges and solutions found across regions and disciplines.
Available Roles
The Call identifies three primary avenues for contribution:
- Session Co-Coordinator (open to institutions) — Institutions may apply to co-coordinate a Thematic Session, working alongside the Forum Secretariat to shape session content, structure, and speaker selection.
- Session Speaker (open to individuals) — Individual experts may apply to serve as speakers, sharing their knowledge, research, or field experience during a Thematic Session.
- Expert Providing Suggestions or Recommendations (open to individuals) — Individuals may contribute by offering technical input, case studies, or policy recommendations to inform session content, without necessarily speaking on stage.
Full details on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and role-specific guidelines are available in the official Open Call Notice, which applicants are strongly encouraged to review carefully before submitting their Expression of Interest.
Application Timeline
The application window is open from 10 August to 13 September 2026, with a final submission deadline of 13 September 2026, 23:59 (KSA time, UTC+3).
Interested institutions and individuals are encouraged to submit their Expression of Interest well ahead of the deadline to allow time for review of all required documentation.
How to Get Involved
The Forum Secretariat encourages all interested parties to:
- Carefully review the attached Open Call Notice and accompanying guidelines.
- Identify the role — or roles — best suited to their expertise and institutional mandate.
- Prepare and submit their Expression of Interest within the application period.
- Share this opportunity within their professional networks to help reach experts and institutions who may not yet be aware of the Call.
The global water community’s collective knowledge is one of its greatest assets. This Call for Expression of Interest offers a concrete opportunity to put that knowledge to work — shaping the discussions that will define the 11th World Water Forum and, in turn, contribute to global progress on water security and sustainability.
For further information, eligibility requirements, and access to the application materials, please consult the official Open Call Notice or contact the 11th World Water Forum Secretariat’s Thematic Process Team at secretariat@worldwaterforum.org.