Disaggregation of the SDG indicator 6.4.2 (level of water stress) by river basin

While at the global level, water stress does not seem to present a serious threat to the sustainability of water withdrawal and use, the situation appears much grimmer if a closer look is given to the status of water resources at basin and sub-basin level. Where data are available, situations of high and very high water stress can be found in many regions across the globe.

Unfortunately, such information is often not available to water managers and decision makers, due both to the scarcity of sufficient data but also to the lack of methods capable to transform the existing data into usable information. Hence, disaggregating water stress is crucial to provide a finer view of both its causes and effects, allowing to target interventions at areas with high water stress and sectors with high water use.

This hybrid online and in-person side event to the UN 2023 Water Conference will show how practitioners can meet SDG 6.4.2 on water stress by examining more local conditions.

Agenda

11:00–11:10 (EST)

Welcoming remarks

Sasha KooOshima, Deputy Director, Land and Water Division, FAO

Emmanuel Rukundo, Director General, Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), Rwanda

11:10–11:25

Keynote Presentation 1: Disaggregation of the level of water stress (SDG 6.4.2) at river basin level: why? How?

Virginie Gillet, Technical Officer, Land and Water Division, FAO

11:25–11:35

Keynote Presentation 2: The disaggregation of the level of water stress at river basin level in Rwanda: strengths and weaknesses of the applied method and usefulness for decision making

Alsaad Ndayizeye, River Flood Control Specialist, SDG6.4.2 Indicator Focal Point RWB, Rwanda

11:35–12:05

Discussion Panel:

• Emmanuel Rukundo, RWB, Rwanda
• Alsaad Ndayizeye, RWB, Rwanda
• Felipe De Sa Tavares, Superintendent of Water and Socioeconomic Studies, Agência Nacional de Águas e Saneamento Básico (ANA), Brazil
• Martina Bussettini, Head – Area for Hydrology, Hydromorphology, Hydrodynamics and Freshwater Ecosystem Dynamics, Environmental Monitoring and Biodiversity, Conservation Department, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Italy
• Annette Huber-Lee, Senior Scientist, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), USA

12:05–12:15

Closure

Emmanuel Rukundo, RWB

Sasha KooOshima, FAO