India is poised to take centre stage in the global discourse on sustainable water management as it hosts the 5th International Forum on Asian Water Environment Technology (IFAWET-5) from August 6 to 8, 2025, in Dehradun. The three-day forum aims to bring together scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders from across Asia and beyond to share insights and discuss the latest advancements in water and environmental technologies.
IFAWET-5 is jointly organised by the University of Tokyo (Japan), the School of Advanced Engineering (SOAE) at UPES Dehradun (India), the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (India), Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico), and the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee (India). This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to addressing critical water challenges facing the region and the world at large. The conference will feature keynote addresses by global experts, technical sessions, panel discussions, and multiple networking opportunities designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and foster strategic partnerships.
In its fifth edition, the forum will focus on building climate-resilient water systems, addressing groundwater depletion, pesticide pollution, and watershed degradation, and promoting sustainable management practices. It will also delve into the importance of inclusive water governance, with an emphasis on equity, policy reform, and community engagement. Another key area of discussion will be the role of smart urban systems, digital technologies, and circular economy models in advancing sustainable water management.
Speaking on UPES’s role as co-organiser and host institution, Dr. Ram Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, UPES, said, “As the world grapples with the twin crises of climate change and water scarcity, platforms like IFAWET are critical for shaping collective solutions rooted in science, innovation, and policy. Hosting this global forum in Dehradun is both symbolic and strategic. The fragile Himalayan ecosystem faces acute water and environmental challenges, making it an apt location for conversations that demand local relevance and global action. At UPES, we are proud to co-create this space for international collaboration and knowledge exchange that can inspire resilient, inclusive, and sustainable water futures for Asia and beyond.”
Prof. Futoshi Kurisu, Chair of IFAWET-5 from the University of Tokyo, Japan, expressed his delight at bringing the conference back to India after 12 years since its inaugural edition in New Delhi (2013), this time to the scenic city of Dehradun in the Himalayan foothills. Prof. Manish Kumar, Convenor of IFAWET-5, also shared his pleasure in witnessing the collaboration of three esteemed institutions with which he has been associated – as an alumnus, a professional, and now as faculty at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico.
The International Forum on Asian Water Environment Technology (IFAWET) was conceptualised as a platform for fostering scientific and policy-level exchange on water-related issues in Asia. IFAWET-5 continues this tradition by creating space for the convergence of diverse perspectives – academic, governmental, and industrial – to collectively shape the future of water sustainability in the region.
These past editions of IFAWET, held in New Delhi, South Korea and Singapore, established it as a respected platform for sharing regional water-environment innovations, forming collaborations, and translating research into practice. The upcoming IFAWET-5 in Dehradun is well-positioned to build on these achievements, expanding dialogue on climate resilience, governance, and digital water solutions.
For more details, please visit https://www.upes.ac.in/
