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World Water Day Conclave 2026 reinforces industry-led water stewardship, innovation & data-driven governance
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Wednesday, 25 March, 2026, 12 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the World Water Day Conclave 2026, on March 23, 2026, at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, under the theme ‘Industry for Water’, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to sustainable water management, enhanced water-use efficiency, and a whole-of-society approach to water conservation.
The conclave was attended by Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Paatil; Ministers of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary and V Somanna; secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, V L Kantha Rao; secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ashok K K Meena; chair, FICCI Water Mission & Past President, Naina Lal Kidwai; secretary, CSIR, N Kalaiselvi; president, Cosmos Group & former president of ASSOCHAM, Anil K. Aggarwal; and additional secretary & mission director, National Water Mission, Archana Varma, among other senior officials, industry leaders, and stakeholders.
Held in alignment with the global observance of World Water Day, the conclave witnessed participation of over 700 delegates, reflecting a strong national resolve towards water security. The event served as a dynamic platform for multi-stakeholder convergence, bringing together government, industry, academia, start-ups, and State representatives to advance collective action for water sustainability.
The conclave was inaugurated by Paatil, who delivered a strong and forward-looking address, placing water conservation at the centre of national priorities.
In his address, the Union Minister emphasised that water conservation is not merely a policy priority but a shared national responsibility, requiring coordinated efforts across all sectors. He underscored the critical role of industry in driving water-use efficiency, promoting recycling and reuse, and transitioning towards a circular water economy.
Calling for a unified approach, he highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships involving government, industry, agriculture, and communities. Stressing the role of public participation, he noted that ‘Jan Bhagidari se Jal Sanchay Sambhav hai’, and expressed confidence that collective action can help India overcome emerging water challenges and move decisively towards a water-resilient Bharat.
Reinforcing the Prime Minister’s call to “conserve every drop”, the minister reiterated that sustainable water management is integral to India’s long-term economic growth, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.
On the occasion, several key national reports and policy documents were released, including: 7th Minor Irrigation Census; 2nd Census of Water Bodies; 1st Census of Springs; 1st Census of Major & Medium Irrigation Projects; National Water Data Policy 2026; Technical publications by NMCG, CGWB, and NRCD.
These releases mark a significant step towards strengthening data-driven governance and evidence-based policy planning in the water sector.
A key highlight of the Conclave was the felicitation of 19 winners of the Jal Shakti Hackathon, recognising innovative and scalable solutions developed by young innovators, start-ups, and institutions.
The ministry also recognised leading industry associations and states for their completion of census exercise. States such as Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam were acknowledged for their timely and successful completion of major national water census exercises.
A Compendium of Good Practices on Industrial Water Use Efficiency was also launched, showcasing best practices in recycling, reuse, and sustainable water management across sectors.
The conclave featured an exhibition with 21 stalls, where key organisations including NMCG, CGWB, Minor Irrigation divisions, and the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, showcased innovations, technological interventions, and data-driven solutions in the water sector.
Leading industry associations such as ASSOCHAM, FICCI, and CII, along with MSMEs, actively participated and reaffirming industry’s commitment to sustainable water practices. Industry stakeholders highlighted key focus areas including: Scaling up water recycling and reuse; Leveraging emerging technologies such as AI and IoT; Driving collaborative action through partnerships and voluntary commitments.
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