Water: A Key Factor for the Future

Let’s put the spotlight on water as a key factor for the future and for business locations!

Text by Annette Kusche | Advisor on Policy Issues and Committees

The one-and-a-half days in Dresden in early July impressively demonstrated just how great the interest is and how urgent the need for joint action is: during a field trip to Dresden’s urban drainage system, at the parliamentary evening with members of the Saxon State Parliament, and finally on the day of the congress, which drew around 300 participants from the business, political, administrative, and academic sectors. Organized and hosted by the IHK, VKU, the Saxon Chambers of Industry and Commerce, and the VBKI, the conference was once again a great success, providing an opportunity to network, engage in constructive dialogue, and work together on solutions.

We take away one key insight: Sustainable water management can only succeed through collaboration. This requires supraregional and forward-looking planning, technical expertise, robust data structures, and a reliable financial foundation. Attractive economic regions depend on stable framework conditions and an efficient infrastructure. A secure water supply is not a marginal issue here, but rather a strategic location factor for businesses, municipalities, and society as a whole. In conclusion, it must be noted that there is still insufficient general awareness of this fact.

Particularly impressive was the presentation by Prof. Anders Levermann, a physicist and climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. He made it clear that unlimited growth is not possible on a planet with finite resources. This makes innovation, foresight, and collective action all the more crucial to developing sustainable solutions for the future. The Folding of the World. His latest book, which is well worth reading, explores how science can help us escape the growth dilemma and the climate crisis.

The conference attracted significant attention even beyond the event itself. Numerous media outlets covered it, and the political sphere was well represented, with members of parliament and state secretaries from Saxony and Berlin in attendance. Together, they succeeded in placing the issue of water even more firmly on the political and economic agenda. MDR SACHSENSPIEGEL: Water Conference in Dresden – watch here

The VBKI would like to thank the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Dresden, Chemnitz, Leipzig, and Potsdam, as well as the VKU and all other participating partners, for the excellent organization and the successful conference.

Special thanks went to Ute Weiland, Executive Director of the VBKI, who served as moderator for the extensive program.

Next year, the Water Congress will take place in Potsdam.

Anyone interested in exploring this topic further can currently visit the Humboldt Forum, where the exhibition“On Water: Water Knowledge in Berlin”offers a valuable glimpse into the Berlin University Alliance’s current research projects.

Photo credit: Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) – Steffen Füssel