Climate change is presenting the world with unprecedented water-related challenges. At the UN Water Conference held in March 2023, discussions emphasized the need for engagement and cooperation among diverse stakeholders to mitigate water risks intensified by climate change. As a key outcome of the conference, the “Water Action Agenda” was compiled, and within it, the concept of Water Cycle Integration (WCI) was highlighted as one of the priority tasks. In Japan, the government established “Integrated River Basin Management for All” as a national water management policy in 2024. Under this framework, all water-related stakeholders are expected to collaborate in advancing initiatives aimed at “minimizing damage from water-related disasters,” “maximizing the benefits of water,” and “enhancing the richness of water-connected environments.”
Under these circumstances, ICHARM marks its 20th anniversary in 2026. To celebrate this milestone, we are holding a public symposium to exchange views on activities to operationalize the Water Action Agenda from various perspectives, including those of the United Nations, national governments, and experts, as a contribution of science and technology to addressing water-related disasters such as floods and droughts. We hope to create a forum in which all participants can actively engage in discussions on concrete initiatives that stakeholders worldwide, including ICHARM, should implement to mitigate water-related risks while building a sustainable society. We aim for the outcomes of this symposium to be shared with the international community through events such as the UN Water Conference scheduled for December of this year, thereby fostering synergy among initiatives toward resolving global water issues, including discussions and actions related to the Post-2030 Agenda.