INBO World Basin Summit 2026

The International Network of Basin Organisations (INBO) is supporting the organisation of the ‘World Summit on Basins’ scheduled for 16 to 19 June 2026 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), in partnership with the Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainability of the State of Rio de Janeiro (SEAS).

After Marrakech and Bordeaux, Rio de Janeiro will host this major international event dedicated to integrated water resources management (IWRM) at the basin level, previously organised under the title of the World General Assembly of INBO. Held every two years in a different host country, the Summit brings together between 200 and 400 participants from basin organisations, national administrations, local authorities, international institutions and research centres from around the world.

In a context of increased pressure on water – exacerbated by the effects of climate change, intensified use, institutional fragmentation and urbanisation – the Summit provides an essential framework for cooperation to share experiences and build more sustainable and resilient management strategies.

The first day will be dedicated to workshops.

Topics to be addressed include: basin governance, inter-sectoral coordination, alignment of water resource management policies with coastal and marine management policies (“blue economie”), and the interface between science and water resource management policies.

Five thematic plenary sessions will be held:

1. From data to action: modernizing water resources monitoring for resilient basin management
2. City-Basin dialogue for water security: reconciling urban and rural developments
3. Healthy waters, resilient basins: bringing consistency to water and biodiversity policies
4. Climate change adaptation at basin level: controlling floods and droughts
5. Circular water economy for basin resilience: diversifying the ‘water mix’ with non-conventional resources

The Summit will conclude with technical and cultural visits on Friday, June 19.