Atoms for Water: A Scientific Forum for Global Water Sustainability

Overview of the Scientific Forum

The upcoming scientific forum, titled “Atoms for Water,” is set to take place from September 16 to 17, 2025, at the Vienna International Centre. This significant event will coincide with the IAEA General Conference, creating a unique opportunity for collaboration and knowledge sharing among specialists from various fields, particularly those focused on the interrelation between atomic science and global water supply. The forum aims to address contemporary challenges related to water sustainability by harnessing scientific advancements and promoting innovative approaches that can enhance water access across the globe.

At “Atoms for Water,” participants will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of experts, including researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, facilitating an interdisciplinary dialogue focused on sustainable solutions. The event’s structure will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative workshops, allowing attendees to explore the advancements in atomic technologies that could potentially transform water management practices, improve purification processes, and optimize resource utilization.

This forum aims to highlight the urgent need for a global response to critical water-related issues, such as climate change, pollution, and population growth. By emphasizing the integration of atomic science in addressing these challenges, the event seeks to contribute to the creation of actionable strategies that can ensure the availability of clean water for future generations. The significance of this scientific gathering lies not only in its timely focus on water issues but also in its potential to forge partnerships and inspire innovative solutions at a global level.

Challenges in Global Water Management

The management of water resources is becoming increasingly complex due to several interrelated challenges that affect both water availability and quality on a global scale. Climate change is one of the primary factors contributing to the growing unpredictability of water sources. Altered precipitation patterns, increasing evaporation rates, and more frequent extreme weather events are exacerbating the pressure on existing freshwater resources. These climatic shifts create significant challenges for regions that depend on consistent rainfall and snowmelt, with potential repercussions for agriculture, industry, and domestic supply.

Population growth further complicates the water management landscape. As the global population continues to rise, the demand for freshwater is projected to increase by approximately 64 billion cubic meters per year. This surge in demand places immense strain on already stressed water systems, leading to conflicts over water rights and unsustainable extraction practices from rivers and aquifers. In densely populated urban areas, insufficient infrastructure can hinder efficient water distribution, contributing to the scarcity of potable water for communities.

A declining supply of freshwater due to overuse, pollution, and habitat degradation poses additional threats. Water quality is deteriorating as industrial activities, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage introduce harmful contaminants into natural water sources. This pollution not only hinders access to safe drinking water but also impacts food security and public health on a widespread basis. Addressing these critical issues is particularly urgent in arid and semi-arid regions, where the demand for effective water management solutions is even more pressing. Innovative approaches, such as rainwater harvesting, desalination, and wastewater recycling, are crucial to ensure sustainable access to clean water in these vulnerable areas.

Innovative Solutions Through Nuclear Science

Water scarcity is an escalating challenge that demands innovative solutions. Nuclear science stands out as a promising avenue for addressing this critical issue through advanced technologies. One significant application of nuclear science is in the realm of desalination, a process that transforms seawater into potable water. Nuclear reactors can provide the necessary energy for such large-scale operations, ultimately reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Desalination powered by nuclear energy offers a feasible solution that can cater to the growing demand for clean water in water-scarce regions. By leveraging the immense power generated by nuclear reactors, countries can implement large-scale desalination facilities that produce fresh water at a lower cost compared to traditional fossil-fuel-driven methods. This not only promotes the economic viability of desalination but also engenders a sustainable approach to water production.

Moreover, nuclear science plays a pivotal role in the efficient management and understanding of water resources. Through techniques such as isotope hydrology, scientists can trace the movement of water within the environment, gaining insights into groundwater systems and surface water hydrology. These methodologies enhance decision-making in water management by providing data that support sustainable practices, allowing stakeholders to allocate resources effectively.

Fostering partnerships among governments, research institutions, and private entities is crucial for mobilizing the necessary resources and expertise required to implement nuclear technologies for water solutions. Collaborative efforts can lead to sharing best practices, enhancing education, and driving investments in nuclear science to support innovations in water sustainability. Such collective action can play a significant role in addressing global water challenges while emphasizing safety and public acceptance of nuclear technologies.

Ultimately, harnessing the power of nuclear science presents an opportunity not only to alleviate water scarcity but also to contribute to global water sustainability initiatives that can benefit future generations.

Event Features and Exhibits

The “Atoms for Water: A Scientific Forum for Global Water Sustainability” will host a diverse range of exhibits and interactive features designed to engage participants and enhance their understanding of water sustainability. One of the primary highlights of the event is the ‘Atoms for Water’ exhibit, which provides attendees with a comprehensive overview of the latest research and innovations in water sustainability. This exhibit seeks to present the critical role that atomic and molecular science plays in ensuring clean and sustainable water resources.

Another significant feature of the forum is the IAEA Bottled Water Project. This initiative invites participants to contribute bottled water samples from various sources, which will be subject to scientific analysis. By participating in this project, attendees will not only learn about the scientific processes involved in water quality testing but also gain valuable insights into the current challenges pertaining to global water quality. Through this hands-on experience, participants can engage directly with scientists and researchers, fostering an informative dialogue about water sustainability practices.

Moreover, the forum will showcase the initiative entitled ‘Water: Reflections of the Next Generation.’ This exhibit will feature children’s artistic interpretations of water, emphasizing their perspectives on this vital resource. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of water sustainability among younger generations, encouraging them to think critically about their relationship with water and its impact on the environment. The integration of art in discussing scientific themes emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach in addressing water challenges.

Overall, the forum promises to be an enriching experience, filled with opportunities for learning and collaboration. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of water sustainability issues, equipped with knowledge and resources to advocate for change in their own communities.

PROGRAMME

TUESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2025

9:30-11:00     Opening Session

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the Scientific Forum 2025 with high-level speakers. They will explore how nuclear science and technology innovations can support effective and sustainable management of the world’s water systems.

H.E. Mr Maizama Abdoulaye, Minister of Environment, Hydraulics and Sanitation, Niger

H.E. Mr Ángel Manuel Manero Campos, Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, Peru

Mr Shan Zhongde, Chairman, China Atomic Energy Authority

Ms Anne-Isabelle Étienvre, Chairman, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission

Ms Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization 

Mr Gonzalo Alfonso Gutiérrez Reinel, Secretary General, Andean Community

11:00-11:15     Break

11:15-12:30     Session 1: Strengthening Water Resilience and Global Sustainability

This session will explore five key accelerators — data and information, capacity development, governance, financing, and innovation — for advancing global water sustainability, while highlighting the role of nuclear sciences and technologies.

Ms Karina Meredith, Director, Environmental Research and Technology, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)

Mr Ricardo Sanchez-Murillo, Former Coordinator of the Stable Isotopes Research Group, National University of Costa Rica

Mr Khalid Khasawneh, Commissioner for Nuclear Power Reactors, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission

Mr Eddy Moors, Rector, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Kingdom of the Netherlands

Mr Jay Famiglietti, Global Futures Professor, Arizona State University, United States of America

Mr Winston Yu, Water Practice Manager, World Bank

Mr Amgad Elmahdi, Director of MENA Region, Green Climate Fund

12:30-13:30     Lunch break

13:30-15:00     Session 2: Quality Unknown — the Invisible Water Crisis

This session will address the accelerating global decline of water quality and will explore how nuclear and radiation based technologies can help track, reduce and treat pollutants such as microplastics and pathogens.

Ms Asunción Romanelli, Professor, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Argentina

Ms Sueli Borrely, Radiation Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, Brazil

Mr Gilbert Nijimbere, Lecturer, University of Burundi

Mr Martin Elsner, Full Professor of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Ms Viviana Re, Associate Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Italy

Ms Yurina Sekine, Principal Researcher, Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Mr Bum Soo Han, Chief Consultant, Bright Future Technologies Inc., Republic of Korea

Mr Christian Stamm, Deputy Director, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

15:00-15:30     Break

15:30-17:00     Session 3: Climate and Hydrological Variability

This session will examine how climate variability exerts significant pressure on global water systems, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, and will highlight the role of the IAEA’s data networks in assessing these changes and guiding actions to sustain and optimize water resources.

H.E. Mr Mohamed Nasr, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the International Organizations in Vienna

Mr David Farrell, Principal, The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Barbados

Ms Tricia Stadnyk, Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Calgary, Canada

Ms Jana Ólavsdóttir, Geologist, Faroese Geological Survey, Denmark

Mr Robert Vautard, Senior Scientist, French National Centre for Scientific Research

Mr Kiattipong Kamdee, Nuclear Scientist, Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology

Mr Chris Soulsby, Professor of Hydrology, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ms Birgit Vogel, Executive Secretary, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River

WEDNESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2025

09:30-11:00     Session 4: The Role of the IAEA

By building capacity, facilitating international cooperation and delivering technical expertise, the IAEA helps Member States address growing water challenges. This session will reflect on how the IAEA helps Member States manage and protect water resources through initiatives such as Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics) and the Global Water Analysis Laboratory (GlowAL) Network, as well as coordinated research projects and technical cooperation.

Ms Vannesa Vera Agramont, Geographical Engineer, Bolivian Nuclear Energy Agency

Mr Moncef Benmansour, Director of Studies and Scientific Research, National Centre for Energy, Sciences and Nuclear Techniques, Morocco

Ms Saira Butt, Deputy Chief Scientist, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology

Mr Charles Darwin Racadio, Senior Science Research Specialist, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

Mr Stepan Kalmykov, Vice-President, Russian Academy of Science

Ms Najiba Chkir, Dean Faculty of Sciences, University of Sfax, Tunisia

Ms Christine Mukwaya, Head of the Groundwater Monitoring and Assessment Section, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda

Ms Jodie Miller, Section Head, Isotope Hydrology Section, IAEA

11:00-11:30     Break

11:30-13:00     Closing Session: Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

The closing session will feature a high-level panel summarizing findings and discussing steps to maximize nuclear and radiological techniques in water management, including strategies for partnerships and resource mobilization. It will address global water crises, their impact and the IAEA’s role in tackling these issues, emphasizing the importance of nuclear innovation and sustainable financing to support these interventions.

Mr Mohamed CBC Diatta, Senegal’s Sherpa for 2026 UN Water Conference, Ministry of Water and Sanitation Senegal

Ms Tatiana Molcean, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Europe

Ms María Jimena Durán, Senior Executive for Global Partnerships, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF)

Ms Lina Escobar-Rangel, Senior Energy Specialist, Interamerican Development Bank