Water as Leverage at UN Water Week

Climate impact & financing adaptation

Venue: 730 Third Avenue, New York City (close to the UN HQ/ NL CG)

Water as Leverage investing millions in project origination to unlock billions for project implementation

Water as Leverage bridges the gap between project origination and project implementation, unlocking the billions available for financing implementation through investing the millions required for the first phases of the project development cycle. It connects climate and water action finance to local needs for innovative and integral infrastructure investment, through an inclusive process.

In this side-event we demonstrate and scale the ambition of Water as Leverage as an approach for worldwide urban climate resilience, through water. During the session, our approach will be demonstrated by a deep dive into Water as Leverage Cartagena, with key note speakers from the Colombia government and the European Investment Bank. The ambition to scale Water as Leverage globally will be announced by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management and will be illustrated by statements from representatives from past and current Water as Leverage partners (both governmental and non-governmental).

Please register by sending a mail to: wal@rvo.nl

Water as Leverage

cuts across sectoral and administrative boundaries through the design, planning and financing of projects on the ground.
unites a growing global community of governments, cities, communities, designers, researchers and more, that join forces to further scale up and replicate Water as Leverage in their quest to reach the SDGs.
already puts into practice the guiding principles of the Water Action Agenda: it is substantial, innovative, transformative, scalable and replicable.
means working together with everyone every step of the way, leaving no one behind.
has a proven track record in Southeast Asia, launched its first initiative in Latin America and celebrates its fifth anniversary this year.

Program

Wed, March 22

All times are EST UTC -05

15:00 - 15:25
Setting the scene Topic It takes millions to invest billions wisely
Description Special Envoy for International Water Affairs of the Government of the Netherlands, initiated Water as Leverage, based on the conviction that “it takes millions to invest billions wisely”. In an interview by the moderator Stephanie Janssen, he will introduce Water as Leverage and the connection with the thematic interactive dialogue of the UN Water Conference. Speakers
- Henk Ovink
- Krishna Mohan
15:25 - 15:35
Making Water as Leverage practical Topic Concrete lessons-learned and recommendations for bridging the financing gaps
Description The OECD evaluated the Water as Leverage program in Asia, leading to concrete lessons-learned and recommendations for bridging the gap between the growing need for investment in resilient water infrastructure in the city landscape and the growing amount of implementation finance options that require investments in the early phases of the project development pipeline. This requires collaboration on all levels: multilateral institutions, national governments and local leadership. Speakers
- Xavier Leflaive
15:35 - 15:45
Water as Leverage in practice Topic Showcasing Water as Leverage Cartagena - the need for increased investments in water and climate action
Description The European Investment Bank will underline the need for increased investments in water- and climate action, but also the existing gap between project origination and implementation financing. International collaboration and coordination of efforts of bilateral cooperation, local capacity and an early connection with international financing institutions is required to bring the objectives of the Water Action Decade within reach. Speakers
- tbc
15:45 - 15:55
Water as Leverage in practice Topic Challenges and opportunities national governments face
Description The Ministry of Environment leads a national transformation on ‘Territorial Planning around Water and Environmental Justice’. This is an exemplary approach of putting water at the heart of sustainable development, while it also includes a focus on inclusivity and capacity of local governments and communities. This needs and examples from on-the-ground work and connects it to the need for approaches like Water as Leverage (Cartagena is a concrete example). Speakers
- María Susana Muhamad González
- tbc
15:55 - 16:05
Water as Leverage in practice Topic Addressing water and climate change adaptation related challenges through an inclusive approach
Description The Mayor of Cartagena de Indias will explain the need of addressing water and climate change adaptation related challenges through an inclusive approach, aiming for innovative, integral and implementable solutions. “Water as Leverage Cartagena – Construyendo con el Agua” is an international partnership between Cartagena (Colombia), the Government of the Netherlands and strategic partners like the European Investment Bank and Invest International. Speakers
- William Dau Chamat
16:05 - 16:30
We can do it together! Topic Commitment and Celebration Ceremony
Description Launch of the commitment ‘Scaling up Water as Leverage for worldwide urban climate resilience, through water’ by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management including an invitation to the participants to start the conversation at this unique moment of the UN Water conference/NY Water Week. Speakers
- Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands and strategic partners

All times are EST UTC -05

15:00 - 15:25 Setting the scene It takes millions to invest billions wisely
Description Special Envoy for International Water Affairs of the Government of the Netherlands, initiated Water as Leverage, based on the conviction that “it takes millions to invest billions wisely”. In an interview by the moderator Stephanie Janssen, he will introduce Water as Leverage and the connection with the thematic interactive dialogue of the UN Water Conference. Speakers
- Henk Ovink
- Krishna Mohan
15:25 - 15:35 Making Water as Leverage practical Concrete lessons-learned and recommendations for bridging the financing gaps
Description The OECD evaluated the Water as Leverage program in Asia, leading to concrete lessons-learned and recommendations for bridging the gap between the growing need for investment in resilient water infrastructure in the city landscape and the growing amount of implementation finance options that require investments in the early phases of the project development pipeline. This requires collaboration on all levels: multilateral institutions, national governments and local leadership. Speakers
- Xavier Leflaive
15:35 - 15:45 Water as Leverage in practice Showcasing Water as Leverage Cartagena - the need for increased investments in water and climate action
Description The European Investment Bank will underline the need for increased investments in water- and climate action, but also the existing gap between project origination and implementation financing. International collaboration and coordination of efforts of bilateral cooperation, local capacity and an early connection with international financing institutions is required to bring the objectives of the Water Action Decade within reach. Speakers
- tbc
15:45 - 15:55 Water as Leverage in practice Challenges and opportunities national governments face
Description The Ministry of Environment leads a national transformation on ‘Territorial Planning around Water and Environmental Justice’. This is an exemplary approach of putting water at the heart of sustainable development, while it also includes a focus on inclusivity and capacity of local governments and communities. This needs and examples from on-the-ground work and connects it to the need for approaches like Water as Leverage (Cartagena is a concrete example). Speakers
- María Susana Muhamad González
- tbc
15:55 - 16:05 Water as Leverage in practice Addressing water and climate change adaptation related challenges through an inclusive approach
Description The Mayor of Cartagena de Indias will explain the need of addressing water and climate change adaptation related challenges through an inclusive approach, aiming for innovative, integral and implementable solutions. “Water as Leverage Cartagena – Construyendo con el Agua” is an international partnership between Cartagena (Colombia), the Government of the Netherlands and strategic partners like the European Investment Bank and Invest International. Speakers
- William Dau Chamat
16:05 - 16:30 We can do it together! Commitment and Celebration Ceremony
Description Launch of the commitment ‘Scaling up Water as Leverage for worldwide urban climate resilience, through water’ by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management including an invitation to the participants to start the conversation at this unique moment of the UN Water conference/NY Water Week. Speakers
- Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands and strategic partners

Speakers

Speakers for WAL climate impact and financing adaptation