Capacity building is often highlighted as a cornerstone for achieving SDG 6 and strengthening resilience in the water sector. From your perspective, what are the most pressing capacity gaps worldwide, and how can institutions like IHE-Delft and SUEN help to address them?
Reports such as by the World Bank show that 75% of the global workforce is active in economic activities that are directly or indirectly depending on water. This dependency poses a serious threat to economies and people’s income because of population growth and increasing challenges such as extreme events, i.e. floods and droughts and declining water quality. These challenges require the acceleration of the implementation of new innovations (technical and social).
At the same time, the water sector is facing a shrinking workforce and insufficient investment. This creates a growing capacity gap, while faster implementation of technical and social innovations is urgently needed.
To address this, more young professionals, especially women, are needed in the sector. Institutions such as SUEN and IHE Delft play a key role by educating new talent and advancing innovation.
In light of rapid technological developments, digitalization, and changing environmental and societal conditions, how should capacity development approaches evolve to remain effective and inclusive?
People may wonder: “With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), do people still need to study?” The answer is: “Yes.” But how we learn is changing. New generations use search engines, social media, and AI tools instead of relying only on books. AI is a new development with its strengths and shortcomings.
It is up to the educators to develop new ways to transfer knowledge and make good use of new developments such as AI.
Today’s water challenges are complex and interconnected. Solving these wicked problems requires creative and critical thinkers - not just access to information.
Türkiye has been active in advancing water-related capacity building through the SUEN and other institutions. How do you view the potential for collaboration between IHE-Delft and Türkiye in strengthening human and institutional capacity across the region and beyond?
Water challenges are receiving less political attention amid rising global tensions, but the problems themselves are intensifying. Issues such as rural water supply and sanitation, aging infrastructure, and urban flooding occur in many countries and are not country-specific but often require context specific solutions.
Collaboration between institutions like IHE Delft, SUEN and others can help address these shared challenges. By working together, they can speed up the exchange of knowledge, scale social and technical innovations, and support faster, more effective implementation worldwide.
Looking towards 2030 and beyond, what would you identify as the critical priorities for the global community to ensure that capacity development in the water sector keeps pace with emerging challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and water quality concerns?
Water will remain a major challenge beyond 2030. Raising early awareness of its value is essential. Integrating water topics into primary and secondary education can build responsible water behavior and spark interest in water careers from a young age.
Key issues - such as water scarcity, reuse, inadequate maintenance, and aging infrastructure - remain far from solved globally. By aligning education, finance, and innovation, we can equip students and professionals with the skills needed to secure water resources and help turn global goals into practical results.