Challenges and opportunities of agricultural water governance in the context of climate change: Pathways for transformation

International water governance in agriculture faces several major challenges driven by transboundary issues, climate change, and political and economic factors. These challenges are deeply interconnected, making effective water management a complex task. Existing institutional arrangements can further hinder access to water and impede both its sustainable use and the implementation of effective solutions to enhance water availability.

The expert panel will elaborate on the need to transform water governance at all levels in order to safeguard food production and food security. Experts in the field will discuss key drivers of effective governance across diverse climatic, economic and political contexts, and will highlight major issues that require attention. The panel will share experiences with governance arrangements and water policies in different world regions, emphasising the factors that contribute to success and outlining possible transformation pathways.

The discussion will seek to address the following major questions:

• How does climate change affect water availability in agriculture, and what are implications for governance?
• What are the key requirements and recommendations for successful transformation in water governance?
• What are the major challenges and opportunities when learning from governance approaches across diverse regions and contexts?
• What role do national and international organisations and initiatives play in fostering effective water governance and preventing water-related conflicts?