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Conference Structure
The 3-day Conference will consist of high level debates on two specific UNGA Resolutions on water ("Law on Transboundary Aquifers" and "The Human Right to Water and Sanitation"), opening/closing ceremonies, 24 technical sessions and a number of side events and special events.
The first day (6 December) is dedicated entirely to plenary sessions: the morning will begin with the Opening Ceremony then a High Level Panel will introduce the main topics of the conference as well as lead a debate on the UN General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/63/124) on the "Law of Transboundary Aquifers". High level representatives will then discuss general principles, recommendations and possible ways forward for the implementation of the resolution.
In the afternoon another group of high level panellists and world renowned experts will give an overview of ISARM regional results and achievements.
The evening Programme of this first day will include: a small ceremony for the IAH Presidents'Award; screening of the film "One Water"; welcome reception and book launch.
On the second and third days (7-8 December) participants will be invited to break out into technical sessions according to the four topics of the conference. During these two days, some 100 selected papers will be presented in parallel sessions followed by a moderated debate that will enable participants to interact directly with the presenters.
The poster sessions, including a further 40 selected contributions, will take place during coffee and lunch breaks in the lobby. These will give participants the opportunity to meet the authors of the posters and discuss with them.
On the third day (8 December) the morning hours will be still dedicated to oral presentations divided into parallel sessions. In the afternoon a High Level Roundtable will be dedicated to the recent UNGA Resolution (A/RES/64/292) on "The Human Right to Water and Sanitation". A group of high level panellists will discuss the links between this Resolution and the management of shared transboundary groundwater resources. After this Roundtable the Closing Ceremony will wrap up the findings and draw conclusions from the discussions of the 3-day Conference.
On 9-10 December UNESCO-ISARM will run a Pilot Course on "Integrated Transboundary Groundwater Management - Tools and Methods" as a side event to the Conference (limited availability of seats). The course will review transboundary groundwater issues in different contexts: countries with non concurrent administrative and hydrological boundaries; the case of the European Union, and countries free from political conflict. A role-play based on a fictitious case study experiencing political conflict will conclude the course.