12th International Water Conference 2027: ActionAid Bangladesh Calls for Abstracts on “Hydro Commons” and Water Justice

DHAKA, 19 October 2026 – ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) is inviting researchers, activists, policymakers and practitioners to submit abstracts for the International Water Conference 2027, themed “The Hydro Commons and Intersectional Water Justice.” The 12th edition will take place on 24–25 January 2027, and abstracts must be submitted by 31 October 2026, giving applicants 12 days from today.

What the conference is about

The conference brings together scholars, activists, policymakers and communities to advance a shared vision of water justice, rights and accountable governance. It has three stated objectives:

• examine emerging and interconnected water challenges in policy and practice
• strengthen dialogue on transboundary water by bringing reparative and intersectional perspectives into the discussion
• connect knowledge, policy and practice, creating a platform for researchers, policymakers and practitioners

The event will be held both online and offline. AAB says further details will be shared later.

Five themes

The 12th conference will explore five interconnected themes covering water, climate, technology, transboundary relations and coastal ecosystems. The announcement does not give short titles for the first four, so they are described below by subject.

1. Water stress. Climate change is changing rainfall patterns and adding to groundwater depletion, pollution and competing demands. The organisers stress that water stress is not only physical scarcity. It is also economic, social and political, reflecting questions of access, distribution, consumption and responsibility. The theme will look at conservation, responsible use, ecosystem protection and collective action.

2. Transboundary waters and water peace. Bangladesh’s rivers are closely tied to developments upstream and downstream. This theme will examine the political, ecological and institutional dimensions of shared waters, including river flows, equitable sharing and data exchange. It asks how shared systems can become spaces of collaboration rather than contestation.

3. Climate risk, salinity and equitable access. Floods, droughts, cyclones, sea-level rise, erosion and salinity intrusion are intensifying water-related risks across South Asia. The theme will consider how impacts differ across geographic and social contexts, and how adaptation can address existing inequalities.

4. Technology and inclusive water futures. Artificial intelligence, remote sensing, data analytics and predictive systems can support monitoring, forecasting, early warning and water-quality management. The organisers also raise concerns about digital access, data ownership, transparency, affordability and new forms of exclusion.

5. Blue Economy and Coastal Water Governance. Mangroves, tidal wetlands and estuaries regulate the climate, support biodiversity and sustain livelihoods. Interest in blue carbon creates opportunities, but it also raises questions about ecological integrity, benefit-sharing and the governance of coastal and marine resources.

Background: what is the “Hydro Commons”?

The central idea invites people to see water not simply as a resource, but as a shared and living system that connects people, nature and generations. It calls for greater care, shared responsibility and collective stewardship. Rivers, wetlands, groundwater and coastal waters are closely connected, yet all are under pressure from climate change, pollution, overuse, degradation and unequal access.

The framing also draws on justice. According to the organisers, the impacts of water insecurity are not the same for everyone. Floods, droughts, salinity, erosion and shortages often hit vulnerable areas hardest, while the benefits of water development are not always shared fairly. That raises questions about reparations, responsibility, restoration and fairness, and about how past and present water-related injustices can be addressed.

AAB has hosted the International Water Conference series since 2016. The series has become one of its flagship global initiatives.

Why Bangladesh

The organisers describe the stakes as particularly high for Bangladesh. The country’s rivers, wetlands, floodplains and coastal ecosystems are increasingly affected by sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, floods, cyclones, droughts, shifting rainfall and river erosion. Bangladesh shares 57 transboundary rivers, which makes cooperation and equitable water sharing essential. Changes in river flows can worsen freshwater shortages, salinity and ecological pressure, especially in the southwest and coastal areas. The organisers argue that sustaining shared rivers requires more cooperation, trust, information sharing and a stronger focus on water peace.

Expected outcomes

The conference aims to deliver:

• a stronger conceptual and practical understanding of the Hydro Commons and its relevance to contemporary water justice
• better dialogue on transboundary water cooperation and water peace
• greater attention to intersectional water insecurity, particularly in the context of climate risk
• critical and constructive perspectives on AI, digital technologies and inclusive water futures
• stronger connections among researchers, policymakers, activists and practitioners across countries and regions

How to apply

Abstracts must be submitted by 31 October 2026. The submission link is on the conference page. Questions can be sent to internationalwaterconference@gmail.com.

Why it matters

Water debates are often dominated by engineering and supply-side questions. This conference puts equity, history and shared responsibility at the centre, and it does so in one of the world’s most river-dense and climate-exposed countries. Its attention to transboundary cooperation and “water peace” is also timely, since rivers that cross borders depend on trust and data sharing as much as on infrastructure. The inclusion of AI and blue carbon reflects a broader concern that new technologies and markets should not widen existing inequalities.

Conclusion

The International Water Conference 2027 offers researchers and practitioners a chance to shape a conversation on water justice that connects local realities in Bangladesh with global debates. With abstracts due on 31 October, interested contributors have under two weeks to prepare. Whether the Hydro Commons becomes a useful framework will depend on the evidence, case studies and policy ideas presented in January.

Sources: ActionAid Bangladesh, International Water Conference 2027 announcement.