On October 19, 2018, the Belt and Road World Youth Forum, jointly hosted by IWHR, Global Water Partnership (GWP) and GWP China, was organized in Beijing and attended by about 50 delegates from 14 countries. IWHR Vice President Wang Xiaogang and GWP Executive Secretary Monika Weber-Fahr addressed the event, while Shi Qiuchi, deputy director general of the Department of Water Resources Management of China’s Ministry of Water Resources, gave the concluding remarks. Former Chinese Vice Minister, also the chair of GWP China, Cai Qihua also went to the forum and met with representatives of the meeting.

GWP Executive Secretary Monika Weber-Fahr delivering an address

The ancient Silk Road began in China and connected with Asia, Africa and Europe. It has developed from a land-based commercial route to a communication link between East and West in economic, political and cultural aspects. China's initiative "One Belt, One Road" borrows the historical symbols of the ancient Silk Road, focusing on the principle of sharing and win-win, and realizes the diversified, independent, balanced and sustainable development of countries along the route through the interconnection of the continental and coastal areas in Asia, Africa, Europe, and America. 

From the perspective of the youth, the forum reflected the changes brought about by the implementation of the “Belt and Road” initiative to the natural environment such as water, ecology and the inherent social and economic models of the countries along the route, and the help and support given to the young scholars by the government, research institutes, enterprises and social groups. Young representatives from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe shared their experiences and experiences from their own national conditions and deeply explored the roles and potentials that young people can play in the development of the “Belt and Road”.

The forum provided a platform for the youth from countries along the “Belt and Road” to integrate multiculturalism, comprehensive disciplines, knowledge sharing and humanities communication, and further promote the cross-regional cooperation of water development, effectively consolidating the mission shouldered by the youths of the countries along the “Belt and Road” to achieve regional stability, natural and social and economic harmony and sustainable development. Through effective planning, practice and communication, a long-term cooperation mechanism has been established for mutual visits among the young talents.

Visits to the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the Beijing Water Saving Museum and Tsinghua University were also arranged so that the young foreign scholars could deepen their understanding of the achievements China has made in water resources management.

Visits to the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and Tsinghua University 

Global Water Partnership is an international intergovernmental organization supported by the United Nations and open to all water resources management agencies. It has 13 regional committees and 85 national committees with partners in 182 countries.