Water plays a key role in development, human development as well environmental and climate resilience.

The Living Lands Charter, agreed by Commonwealth Heads of Government in Rwanda in 2022, recognises the importance of water early in the document, acknowledging ‘that land, including its waterbodies, is both a source and sink of greenhouse gases and supports billions of people for their food, livelihoods, and wellbeing’.

In August, World Water Week, an annual conference on global water issues, attracted a passionate audience to Stockholm to discuss the use and management of this precious natural resource under the theme ‘Water for Climate Action’.

For the Living Lands team, the conference represented a good opportunity to connect with this important audience ahead of COP 30 in November, advocate for joined-up action, inform and align with the organisation’s Strategic Plan, which will guide its work until 2030.