The impact of changing climate is varied and manifold and is of utmost importance in present times. With the objective of discussing issues pertaining to depleting water resources, climate change and sustainable development, Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), South Asian Institute for Advanced Research and Development (SAIARD) and ActionAid Association jointly organized an International Conference on Water Resources, Climate Change & Sustainability at IPE’s Osmania University Campus in Hyderabad, Telangana. The conference was inaugurated by Sh. R. H. Khwaja, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministries of Tourism and Mines. Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, Joint Secretary, University Grants Commission; Sh. Rajendra Singh, Waterman of India; Sh. Arvind Kumar, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Government of Telangana and Vice-Chancellor (I/c), Osmania University; and Prof. R. K. Mishra, Director, IPE were also present on the occasion.

Held on September 27-28, the conference saw rich discussions on the challenges posed by climate change and depleting water resources, besides exploring solutions for a sustainable future. Several technical sessions formed part of this conference where nearly 75 papers were presented by experts, academicians and research scholars on a number of sub-themes including: surface and groundwater resources; urban and rural water management; inter-state water disputes and policy-making; water quality; carbon sequestration; climate change and global warming evidences; greenhouse gases, pollution and climate change; climate hazards; ecology and ecosystems; renewable energy; environmental ethics and climate change; and environmental economics and sustainability.

During the meeting, Sh. Rajendra Singh presented several success stories towards reviving the drying water resources from the villages of Rajasthan. Speaking on the occasion, Sandeep Chachra from ActionAid Association said that it is important to “engage with the climate change agenda through the prism of sustainable management of water resources”. Expressing hope for a better future, Sandeep further added, “The path-breaking ideas and discussions at the conference and assertions to address the issue of sustainable water management would provide great building blocks and pathways for protecting, nurturing and promoting water commons and indeed the commons of humankind.” Several scientists and researchers also participated in this meeting and shared their views and ideas.