Spouse of the President of the Republic of Slovenia
Dr. Aleš Musar
Chairman of the Board of Trusties BWF
Co-organiser:
The speakers will be announced by 4 May 2026.
WATER AND BLUE ECONOMY- new water strategies
Wednesday, 3 June 2026: From the COP Water Declaration to action at the Bled Water Forum
| 9:15 - 10:00 | Opening session |
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Marko Gajić, BWF co-founder, Slovenia Aleš Musar, Spouse of the President of the Republic of Slovenia Anton Mežan, Mayor, Municipality of Bled, Slovenia Asad Shirinov, Advisor to the Chairman, Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency Arif Ibrahimi Alkalali, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister for Water, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia 9:45 - 9:50 Memorandum of Cooperation between ICPE and BWF 9:50 - 9:55 Know your tap water: Slovenia’s QR platform for drinking water transparency |
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| 10:00 - 11:30 | PANEL 1: From Source to Sea: Water–Climate Nexus and Cooperation for Water Resilience |
| Climate change is increasingly experienced through water. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, droughts, floods and ecosystem degradation are affecting water systems across the entire hydrological cycle – from mountain sources and rivers to coastal zones and seas. These challenges highlight the need for integrated approaches that connect climate action with water governance. The Source-to-Sea (S2S) approach provides such a framework by linking freshwater, coastal and marine systems and promoting coordinated action across sectors, institutions and geographical scales. The Source-to-Sea Declaration (2025) emphasises the importance of cooperation and integrated water management to enhance resilience and safeguard ecosystems that support communities, economies and biodiversity. In this context, strengthening the Water–Climate Nexus is essential. Water management must play a central role in climate adaptation strategies, while climate policies must recognise water systems as critical infrastructures for resilience. This panel aims to explore how cooperation across the water cycle – from source to sea – can support climate resilience, sustainable water governance and long-term environmental stability. | |
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Panelists: TBA |
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| 11:30 - 11:45 | Coffee break |
| 11:45 – 13:15 | PANEL 2: Implementing the COP water declaration: knowledge, infrastructure and innovation |
| This panel explores how the commitments of the COP Water Declaration can be translated into concrete actions. The discussion will focus on practical approaches that connect new water knowledge, digital transparency, infrastructure development and innovation.The panel will also highlight how cooperation between governments, research institutions, industry and international networks can strengthen water resilience and support the implementation of global water and climate commitments. | |
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Panelists: TBA |
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| 13:15 – 15:00 | Lunch (food and water pairing) |
| 15:00 – 16:15 | PANEL 3: European Water Awards: Innovations shaping the future of water |
| This session presents the most innovative solutions in the water sector selected through the European Water Awards. The panel highlights technologies and approaches that are shaping the future of water management, drinking water systems and sustainable water use. | |
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Panelists: TBA |
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| 16:30 - 17:30* |
Hiking to Straža Hill with Azerbaijan Registration required on the day of the event at the information desk until 13:00 |
| 16:00 - 17.15 | PANEL 4: Monitoring of Alpine Lakes |
| Expert session focuses on the preservation and improvement of the ecological status of Lake Bled, presenting scientific insights and evidence-based approaches to sustainable lake management. | |
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Panelists: TBA |
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| 17:15 - 17:30 | Coffee break |
| 17:30 - 18:40 | PANEL 5: Nature-based solutions to improve the water quality of Lake Bled |
| The professional segment is intended for participants of the workshops held in February and March and presents a draft of the final document—an operational action plan for further management and improvement of the situation. | |
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Panelists: TBA |
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| 20:30 - 21:30 | EUROPEAN WATER AWARDS 2026 |
| Bled castle |
Thursday, 4 June 2025: Vila Bled - Water Experience
| 8:30 - 9:00 | Presentation |
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A living laboratory of Water, Health and Sustainable Tourism A presentation of Slovenia and Bled as a living laboratory where water quality, natural environments and sustainable tourism come together to support health, well-being and long-term environmental stewardship. |
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| 09:00 - 10:00 | PANEL 1: Blue Health and Longevity |
| A discussion on the role of water environments in supporting human health, well-being and longevity, with insights from tourism, wellness and spa sectors. | |
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Panelists: TBA |
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| 10:00 - 11:00 | PANEL 2: Aquinity8: When water sets the standards – a new paradigm for gastronomy and tourism |
| 11:00 - 11:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 - 12:15 | PANEL 3: Blue Futures: Youth Perspectives on New Water Strategies |
| This session presents the most innovative solutions in the water sector selected through the European Water Awards. The panel highlights technologies and approaches that are shaping the future of water management, drinking water systems and sustainable water use. | |
| 12:15 - 14:00 | Lunch (food and water pairing) |
| 14:30 - 18:00 | BLED CASTLE |
| The event is open to the public | |
| Water tasting and pairing with coffee, tea and coctails |
BWF Call
We recognize and award the most innovative technological solutions each year at the Forum and actively assist them in their global breakthrough and successful implementation.
Report
See the reports of the international assessment of 32 waters,
which took place as part of the Bled Water Forum 2025 under the auspices of the European Water Sommeliers Association (EWSA).
CONTACT
Zavod BLEJSKI VODNI FESTIVAL