Since 1991, World Water Week, organized annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), has been the leading global forum bringing together scientists, policymakers, innovators and communities to address urgent water challenges. The 35th edition, held from 24–28 August 2025, concludes today, with discussions taking place both in person and online under the theme “Water for Climate Action” (UN Water). 

But why is this matter important for us?  

The recent drought situation in Terai is a powerful and timely reminder of just how vital water sources are.  

On July 10, the Madhesh government officially declared the province a drought-hit  zone, with all 136 municipalities, including the worst-hit Birgunj, facing acute water scarcity.  

It was not an abrupt decision, but the culmination of years of water-related challenges: years of negligence, misuse, environmental degradation and years of escalating consequences for humans and all forms of life.  

Water is more than a resource, it’s the lifeblood of civilizations, the cradle of our evolution and a mirror reflecting our collective wisdom or failures. It’s not simply about hydration, but the choices we make as individuals and societies.  

Have we become smart enough to steward water wisely, or are we losing ground? When communities rally around water conservation or equitable access, they elevate human solidarity. When water is taken for granted or mismanaged, we expose our vulnerabilities.  

Water is the ultimate test of our empathy and ingenuity. As we debate, plan and act, we define our humanity. Each decision about water access, conservation, restoration reveals whether we lean toward compassion or neglect.  

World Water Week embodies this tension which can be understood as a global forum where our best intensions confront harsh realities, and where hope meets action.  

This year’s spotlight “Water for Climate Action” captures a clear truth, without water-centric solutions, climate targets remain out of reach.  

• Water fuels the climate crisis, from drought and floods to ecosystem collapse. 

• Conversely, smart water management offers a potential for mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.  

• The week aims to plan the entire cycle, from freshwater sources to oceans, while centering ecosystem protection, equitable inclusion, and climate justice.  

Imagine a farmer in the Terai whose fields thrive through climate-smart water systems, resilient against drought. Picture young minds no longer walking miles for water, their days freed for learning. Or a mother in a flood-prone region whose community’s water strategy now safeguards her family. These are not abstract ideas- these are the human heartbeat within the data and debates. 

Together, we can make a profound difference. Individually, our daily choices like turning off taps, preventing waste, supporting sound water policies- all add up to collective impact. As societies, we must ensure the voices of the vulnerable resonate in water decisions. That is climate justice in action. And as one humanity, standing at a climate–water crossroads, we must ask: will we rise to adapt, share with fairness and vision- or will we falter in neglect and division? 

At CREASION, among many, we recognize that microplastics in water represent a major, and growing threat to public health. As the WHO report says “Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment and have been detected in a broad range of concentrations in marine water, wastewater, fresh water, food, air and drinking-water, both bottled and tap water.”  

We strongly advocate for urgent decisions and meaningful action on this critical issue. Through programs and projects such as RIPL and Project CAP, as well as our broader advocacy efforts, we are actively combating plastic leakage into rivers and landfills while mitigating the risks of microplastic contamination. As part of our practical solutions, we are strengthening and operating both MRFs (Material Recovery Facilities) and PRFs (PET Recycling Facilities). We are also making our best efforts to coordinate with local, provincial, and federal governments to ensure these issues are addressed at the policy level- fostering systemic and sustainable change. 

Scientific evidence, alongside tragic lived experiences, highlights the devastating impact of the water crisis. World Water Week is that vital nexus where human stories and global science converge- and where we can shift not just policies, but our shared human future. 

And at the heart of this shared story lies one deeply personal, urgent question: How clean and safe is the water you drink- or the water you provide to your children and loved ones to quench their thirst?