The 3rd Asia International Water Week took place in Beijing in late September 2024, during which a pivotal session “Positioning Youth in the Nerve of Political Agenda of Water: From Ideas to Actions” marked a significant milestone for youth engagement in water management. I was honoured to represent the International Water Association (IWA) Young Water Professionals (YWPs) Community and the IWA YWP China Chapter at this event to present insights and share the journey of empowerment within the IWA platform. The session brought together prominent voices, from UNESCO directors to young professionals, each dedicated to amplifying youth engagement in sustainable water management. 

This event marked a significant milestone for me, as I had the opportunity to contribute to the IWA platform and share insights from my journey within IWA. I was thrilled to outline opportunities for fellow young professionals to engage in YWP local chapters, participate in specialist groups, and apply for youth-targeted programmes such as the IWA LeaP, the IWA YWP leadership programme. It was rewarding to recognise that the guidance and opportunities I have received from IWA could now serve as a steppingstone for others who share a passion for water solutions. 

The session’s discussions were rich with insights from experts like Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, who opened the event with words that resonated deeply with the audience. He encouraged YWPs to see themselves not only as beneficiaries of water initiatives but as active contributors who have the power to shape these agendas. Dr. Ai Sugiura, UNESCO Programme Specialist, expanded on this by emphasising that youth involvement should capitalise on the strengths they bring, from data analytics to artificial intelligence, ensuring their perspectives are integral to water resource management projects. 

Another notable takeaway was from the representative of Global Institute for Water Environment and Health (GIWEH) , who underscored the importance of independence in youth initiatives. Beyond merely participating, organising water-related events allows young professionals to develop skills and confidence that will benefit both their careers and the sector. It was an empowering moment, because it called youth to not only voice their own perspectives but to actively create spaces for their contributions to thrive.  

In addition to youth-focused dialogues, the conference featured an “International Seminar on the Implementation of SDG 6 Monitoring and Progress.” The dialogues highlighted the importance of water SDG monitoring to the improvement of policy making and investment decisions. For example, mixtures and chemicals at trace concentrations can have a substantial impact on water quality but are very challenging to detect (e.g., endocrine disruptors and PFAS family). The discussions emphasized that effective water policy depends on advanced monitoring methods, underscoring the need for YWPs to actively engage in both technical innovations and policy-driven solutions to address these complex challenges. 

The gathering of young professionals and sector experts reaffirmed the role of YWPs in driving impactful change in the water sector. The session encouraged young professionals to find their voices, engage in transformative dialogues, and take on active roles that contribute to a sustainable water future. These discussions offer guidance for meaningful youth engagement: by participating in leading water-related associations and actively organising events, young professionals can transform their innovative ideas into concrete actions, including technical advancements and policy-driven solutions, to help achieve global water sustainability goals.