update Updated
category Climate change adaptation Financing News
In 2024, the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO), alongside its partners, launched an initiative to address one of the most pressing challenges in the water sector: the need for skilled professionals to ensure sustainable water management.
Recognizing that training is a cornerstone of progress, INB0 and 25 core-partners established the Bali Coalition to Strengthen Training in the Water Sector during the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia.
This initiative aims to accelerate access to drinking water and sanitation by equipping water professionals with the skills needed to tackle global challenges such as climate change, population growth, and urbanization.
By 2025, the Coalition has grown to include over 120 signatories from more than 50 countries. These stakeholders—ranging from public and private water operators to governments, international organizations, and financial institutions—are committed to advancing professional training in the water sector by promoting and implementing the following recommended actions:
- To improve the attractiveness of the sector, gender balance and youth representation.
- To strengthen skills and develop professional training in the water sector;
- To support professional training through sustainable financial mechanisms;
- To integrate professional training into human resources development strategies;
- To use specialized training organizations, equipped with the necessary skills and educational tools;
By investing in training, retraining, and retaining skilled professionals, the coalition is working to ensure that water and sanitation services are delivered more efficiently and sustainably worldwide.
As the initiative continues to gain traction, the Coalition is taking concrete steps to expand its impact. Key activities planned for 2025 include:
- To take part in the kick-off meeting of the World Water Forum in Ryadh, in April, in order to ensure training remains a priority in preparations of the event.
- A dedicated session on training and financing mechanisms at the IWRA World Water Congress in Marrakech, Morocco, in December.
- A webinar to explore innovative financing solutions for training programs, inviting participation from training centers and financial institutions.
Training in the water sector is essential at all levels, from technicians to managers and elected officials, to ensure sustainable and efficient water management.
Given the growing challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and pollution, strengthening the skills and expertise of all stakeholders is crucial. Vocational training enables professionals to stay up to date with the latest technologies and best practices, whether in leak detection, governance, risk prevention, uses in agriculture, or innovative solutions for water preservation and reuse.
By fostering knowledge-sharing and capacity-building, training helps improve decision-making, optimize operations, and implement sustainable water management strategies, benefiting both people and the environment.