Reason for Participation at UN 2023 Water Conference

The University of Bergen (UiB) has been involved with water research and higher education for several decades, spanning disciplines such as archaeology, history, geography, nutrition, medicine, and biology. Several of these researchers were engaged with the MDGs and when the 2030 Agenda was established many engaged in science advice on the nexuses between several SDGs, e.g., SDGs2, 4, 6, 13, and 14.

One of the major projects led by UiB was the “Nile Basin Research Programme” (2006-2011), whose director was Dr. Tore Sætersdal, who was a part of the UiB delegationat UNWC23. This was followed by the two NORHED I projects “Water and Society Africa” and “Water and Society Asia” (2013-2021). UiB also has hosted two international PhD summer schools on water and water science. Currently, UiB leads the NORHED II project “Water ESSENCE Africa” (2021-2026).

Professor Terje Tvedt is a world-leading authority on water both in a historical and current geopolitical perspective, with a particular interest in the Nile. He has published several best-selling books and has appeared in documentaries on water, including the 9 volume “A History of Water”. More information here.

In 2017, UiB participated in the inaugural UN Ocean Conference and returned for the second in Lisbon recently. By securing our own accreditation we have been able to partake in high-level discussions and creating our own side events with partners to highlight the key role research and higher education plays in achieving the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda.

Our work in science diplomacy seeks to look at the dynamics between SDGs. We want to follow up on this with our global partners at the 2023 UN Water Conference by bringing the voice of science to the SDG6/SDG14-nexus, also considering SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 13, 16, and 17.

Further relevant links:

• https://www.uib.no/en/rg/nbrp
• https://www.norad.no/en/front/funding/norhed/projects/water-and-society-waso-africa--institutional-capacity-building-in-water-management-and-climate-change-adaptation-in-the-nile-basin-/
• https://www.uib.no/en/sdgbergen/141540/uib-sweeps-norhed-ii-funding#water-essence-africa