M F Rahaman
Dhaka, 23 January:
Leading water experts from across the globe have called for urgent action to rebuild trust in South Asia’s transboundary water governance, warning that failure to collaborate could jeopardize the region’s water security in the face of escalating climate change. This call came during the 11th International Water Conference, a two-day virtual event organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, which concluded on Thursday.
Speakers at the conference stressed the need to move beyond traditional state-centric water-sharing agreements and adopt a “hydro-social” approach that focuses on river health, environmental flows, and shared accountability across borders. Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, highlighted how climate change has disrupted water predictability, threatening livelihoods and food security. She called for a shift “from borders to bridges” to ensure climate justice.
The session on Transboundary Water Accountability, moderated by Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, emphasized the importance of incorporating data transparency, basin-wide cooperation, and multi-stakeholder engagement, including youth and civil society. “We must move from narrow water-sharing debates to a broader, cooperative framework,” said Mohammad Abu Sayed of Bangladesh’s Joint Rivers Commission.
The conference concluded with a call for institutionalized seasonal data-sharing protocols and a regional water school to empower local communities. A digital exhibition of water museums also showcased the vital relationship between rivers, culture, and human life. The event attracted over 100 experts, policymakers, and activists from multiple countries.