The UN Global Water Academy was announced in March 2023 at the UN Water Conference in New York City. It is a multi-stakeholder collaboration between the United Nations, academic institutions, private sector partners, and with York University as the Academic Lead. The Global Water Academy will tackle diverse aspects of the water sustainability crisis: training, research, and knowledge mobilization, ultimately used to inform decision-making and public policy.

During this year's annual High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (July 10-July 19), the York University has prepared a special event titled "Humanitarian Responses to Emerging Water Crises as a Result of Extreme Climatic Event". On Friday, July 14, a team of expert panellists will discuss extreme climatic events and their impact on freshwater. Climatic events have been associated with changes in freshwater availability and degradation of water quality, including elevated concentrations of nutrients, contaminants of emerging concern, and potential for algal blooms, some of which may be toxic. Any alterations to the freshwater supply can be detrimental to humans and wildlife that rely on freshwater for life, especially during humanitarian crises.

This virtual event will be moderated by faculty fellow Sapna Sharma and feature special guests Dr. Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University​, and Mr. Nikhil Seth, th​e United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Director of UNITAR. It will also bring together four renowned experts in the fields of technology, engineering, global governance, and advocacy, including Dahdaleh research fellow Syed Imran Ali. Together, they will be exploring humanitarian responses, challenges, and solutions to alleviating the freshwater crises in a climate crises.

Learn more and register for the special virtual event

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