IAHR contributed to discussions on water governance, river basins and private-sector action at the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum in Rome, while advancing the Road to Bari process towards the 42nd IAHR World Congress in 2027.

 Overview 

IAHR participated in the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum, held at La Nuvola in Rome from 29 September to 2 October 2026. The Forum, organised by One Water Committee Italy together with the Mediterranean Water Institute and the Union for the Mediterranean, brought together public authorities, basin organisations, utilities, businesses and water experts from across the region. IAHR’s participation focused particularly on the connections between water governance, cities and river basins, scientific and engineering knowledge, and the implementation of practical solutions. These discussions also provided an opportunity to advance the Road to Bari, IAHR’s global process leading to the 42nd IAHR World Congress in Bari, Italy, from 28 June to 2 July 2027. The Road to Bari connects water challenges identified by cities, river basins and public authorities with scientific knowledge, innovation and practical solutions from the global water community. 

 Strengthening cooperation between cities and river basins 

On 1 October, Tom Soo, Executive Director of IAHR, chaired the High-Level Panel Water Governance: Cities, Basin Authorities and Stakeholders Commitment. The discussion brought together perspectives from cities, river basin organisations, utilities and public institutions, addressing questions including cooperation across different levels of governance, integrated planning, data and monitoring, stakeholder participation and climate resilience. These issues connect directly with Basins & Cities, one of the five Challenge Tables being developed through the Road to Bari. The process is seeking to identify concrete priorities emerging from those responsible for managing water in practice and to connect them progressively with relevant knowledge, experience and solutions.

 Bringing basin perspectives into the Road to Bari 

IAHR President Philippe Gourbesville also participated in the INBO Basin Day, contributing to discussions on Integrated Water Resources Management and presenting the Road to Bari to the river basin community. River basins are a central part of the Road to Bari. Many water challenges extend beyond administrative boundaries and require coordination between cities, basin authorities, utilities, ecosystems and different water users. IAHR’s engagement with the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) is helping bring these operational perspectives into the Road to Bari and strengthen the connection between basin-level challenges, peer exchange, science and implementation.

  Connecting with the solutions community  

IAHR also contributed to the CEO Water Summit – Water Pledge on 30 September. The roundtable brought together CEOs and senior business leaders to discuss how corporate water action can move beyond individual commitments towards more coordinated approaches at basin level. The discussion around the proposed Euro-Mediterranean Corporate Water Action Plan 2030 explored how companies, cities, basin organisations and other public institutions could contribute at different levels. This dialogue is particularly relevant to the next phase of the Road to Bari. After identifying and prioritising challenges with authorities and operational actors, the process is increasingly turning towards the scientific, engineering and solutions communities that can contribute knowledge, innovation, implementation experience and practical responses.  

  From identifying challenges to developing responses 

The Road to Bari is now structured around five Challenge Tables:

• Digital Water & Decision Intelligence

• Climate Adaptation & Extreme Events

• Water Reuse & Circular Cities

• Ageing Infrastructure & Asset Management

• Basins & Cities

Work over recent months has brought together contributions from cities, basin authorities, utilities, researchers, companies, professional organisations and other actors to identify the questions that should guide the next stage of the process. The focus is now moving from broad challenge identification towards a more targeted phase of engagement: connecting priority questions with expertise, research, innovation, implementation experience and potential solutions. The discussions held in Rome represent another step in that journey.  

  Towards Bari 2027

The Road to Bari will continue over the coming months as an ongoing process connecting challenges, knowledge and solutions.

Cities, basin authorities and other public institutions can bring forward real-world priorities and exchange experience with peers. Researchers and IAHR’s scientific communities can contribute relevant knowledge and innovation. Companies, utilities and solution providers can help explore pathways towards implementation.

This work will converge at the 42nd IAHR World Congress in Bari, where the different communities involved in the Road to Bari will come together to exchange what has been learned, discuss relevant knowledge and solutions, and identify opportunities for continued action beyond the Congress.

Learn more and join the Road to Bari 

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