Cofunded by the European Union

The 6th ASEM Seminar on Urban Water Management took place on October 22 in Changsha, Hunan (China), alongside related meetings such as the 8th Meeting of the Chinese Coordinating and Guiding Committee of ASEM Water.

Foster Asia-Europe water management collaboration

Organized by the ASEM Water Resources Research and Development Center, the seminar aims to foster Asia-Europe collaboration on sustainable water management. This year’s theme, "Promoting Sustainable Development of Water Resources for Shared Prosperity," emphasized knowledge exchange and dialogue among governments, academia, the private sector, and civil society.

100 participants from 22 members

Over 100 participants from 22 ASEM members, including government officials, diplomats, academics, and business representatives, attended alongside Dr Bjorn Kaare Jensen (Water4All’s Chair). The seminar featured 19 expert presentations from 17 countries, focusing on urban water governance, river and lake ecological management, and innovative technologies. Discussions addressed water-related challenges, proposing practical solutions for water ecology, disaster management, and integrated governance.

Evolution of the ASEM Seminar

Since its inception in 2014, the biennial ASEM Seminar has evolved into a significant platform for promoting dialogue and integrated water management between Asia and Europe, advancing global goals for sustainable water resource use. Jiang Duan, China's ASEM Senior Official, reaffirmed China’s dedication to Asia-Europe cooperation, encouraging the seminar to act as a platform for multi-sector collaboration and resilience-building.

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The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.