This 60-minute session opens with a 15-minute keynote by Dorien Lugt (HKV), followed by in-depth dialogue taking place at 50 roundtables.

We are off track to address the global water crisis – where communities face the triple threat of too much water (flooding), too little (drought), or water that is unsafe to use. The gap isn’t just about funding; it’s about missing innovations, overlooked themes, and broken connections between ideas and real-world impact. Why do so many promising water solutions fail to reach those who need them most? This session explores the blind spots and bridges the gap to ensure equitable, sustainable water security for all.

Sub-themes:
•    The innovation blind spots: Are we missing critical areas like affordable desalination, decentralized wastewater treatment, or climate-resilient infrastructure that could help balance water extremes? What about essential innovations, such as early warning systems, AI-driven water management, or behavior change tools, that are being overlooked?
•    Scaling what works: Why do some innovations scale effortlessly while others stall? How can we de-risk new technologies – especially those leveraging AI and early warning systems – for investors and governments? What lessons can we learn from successes in predictive analytics, smart irrigation, or flood/drought forecasting?
•    Partnerships for impact: How can innovators, governments, and financiers collaborate to turn pilots into million-user solutions? What role can Dutch water tech and innovation hubs play in brokering these connections, particularly for AI and early warning technologies?
•    Water security’s missing links: Beyond technology, what social, governance, or financial innovations are needed to ensure water security? How do we ensure solutions are inclusive, equitable, and sustainable, while integrating early warning systems and AI to predict and mitigate water-related risks?
 
Outcome: Each table creates a ‘2030 breakthrough plan’ for one innovation or approach that could significantly accelerate progress toward balanced water security. 
Include the gap it addresses (e.g., urban water scarcity, flood/drought prediction, data gaps), the partners needed to scale it, as well as why this should be a priority for the UN Water Conference 2026 and Partners for Water 6.