THEME
Theme 1: Digital and Intelligent Systems for River Management
- This theme focuses on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), remote sensing, and Big Data analytics into river basin management. It covers predictive flood forecasting, water quality monitoring, and digital twins for modeling river dynamics. By creating real-time, data-driven insights, intelligent systems can significantly improve decision-making, reduce risks, and enhance the efficiency of water resource utilization. Key Focus Areas:
- AI-driven hydrological and sediment modeling
- IoT-based sensor networks for continuous monitoring
- GIS-based river mapping and visualization
- Data integration and cloud-based decision support systems.
- Related SDGs: SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 13: Climate Action
Theme 2: Climate Change, Water Security, and Resilience
- This theme addresses the impacts of climate change on river systems — such as altered flow patterns, floods, and droughts — and explores strategies for building resilient water systems. Emphasis is on climate modeling, adaptive infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, and blue carbon initiatives that mitigate climate impacts while preserving biodiversity. Key Focus Areas:
- Climate-resilient water infrastructure
- Flood and drought risk management
- Nature-based solutions (wetlands, riparian buffers)
- Blue carbon ecosystems and carbon-neutral watersheds.
- Related SDGs: SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 14: Life Below Water; SDG 15: Life on Land
Theme3: Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture
- Theme focuses on climate-smart agriculture, precision irrigation, and sustainable horticulture practices linked to river basin health. Incorporates biotechnology and bioinformatics to improve crop water efficiency, soil health, and disease-resistant varieties, while maintaining ecological balance.
Focus Areas:
- Precision irrigation and water-efficient farming
- Sustainable crop management
- Bioinformatics for crop and soil health monitoring
- Biotechnology for developing climate-resilient crops
- Integration of agriculture practices with river basin sustainability
- Agro-ecological solutions and Biodiversity conservation
- Related SDGs: SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land
Theme 4: Policy, Governance, and Transboundary Cooperation
- This theme emphasizes the need for integrated water resource management (IWRM), effective policy frameworks, and transboundary collaboration among nations sharing river basins. It advocates science-informed governance, participatory decision-making, and transparent data-sharing mechanisms that foster peace, equity, and sustainable development.. Key Focus Areas:
- River diplomacy and basin-level treaties
- Integration of AI tools in policy and regulation
- Water–energy–food–ecosystem (WEFE) nexus governance
- Participatory water management and stakeholder inclusion Related SDGs: SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals; SDG 2: Zero Hunger (through water–food security linkages)
Theme 5: Community, Innovation, and Education
- This theme focuses on community-driven and inclusive approaches to river management. It highlights citizen science, youth innovation, and capacity building as critical components of sustainable solutions. Empowering local communities with digital tools and environmental education ensures long-term stewardship of river ecosystems.. Key Focus Areas:
- Citizen science and participatory monitoring
- Youth innovation labs and hackathons
- Water education and awareness campaigns
- Integrating traditional and indigenous knowledge
- Related SDGs: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
