OPENING PLENARY

OPENING
PLENARY

Date: Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Time: 08:45–12:40
Location: Plaza Auditorium
Venue: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC)

Lakes and their basins are vital ecosystems that serve as sentinels for environmental change, supporting biodiversity, water resources, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. Lakes and reservoirs are also the key for disaster risk management, functioning as buffers for cities and people against floods and water-related disasters. Looking ahead, the integration of lake and reservoir management within broader river basin frameworks is becoming increasingly essential to achieve sustainability and resilience, particularly in the context of climate change. It should be a centrepiece for water discussion and action in the post-SDGs frameworks.

The High-Level Segment at Opening Plenary of the 20th World Lake Conference will bring together distinguished leaders and experts to set the direction for the discussions to follow. This session will emphasize the critical importance of lakes in global water environmental governance through keynote speeches and an interactive dialogue. It will also aim to build momentum for actions toward the successful celebration of the first "World Lake Day" on August 27, 2025 since its unanimous establishment by the UN General Assembly last December, positioning it as a new milestone for advancing international collaboration and action for sustainable lake and basin management.

  • Plus Digeridoo performance

    • Prof. David Hamilton: Director, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University

    • Dr Kazuhiko Takemoto, President, International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC)

    • Ms. Lyn O’Connell, Deputy Secretary, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Australian Government

    • Hamish Butler (Executive Director- South Region) from the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers

    • Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Government of the Republic of Fiji

    • H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Nakada, State Minister of the Environment, Government of Japan

  • MORNING TEA

  • Panel:

    • Inge Retnowati, Director Biodiversity Conservation, Ministry of Environment, Indonesian Government

    • Eng. Mwajuma Waziri, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water in the United Republic of Tanzania

    • Ms. Orie Kishimoto, Vice Governor of Shiga Prefecture, Japan

    • Ms Lou-Ellen Martin, Branch Head for Water Support and Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS), the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Federal Government of Australia

    • Prof. Phil Duncan, Professor of University of Canberra

    Moderators:

    • Dr. Kenzo Hiroki, Professor Emeritus of National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) / Executive Director, High-level Panel Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP)

    • Assoc. Prof. Brian McＩntosh, International WaterCentre, Griffith University

  • Prof Brad Moggridge

    The prestigious Peter Cullen Lecture will be delivered by Professor Brad Moggridge.

    “The Cultural Value of Country and the Importance of Understanding Water Quality and Climate Change for Aboriginal People.”

    Professor Moggridge is renowned for his expertise in Indigenous water science and policy. His lecture will offer valuable insights into how traditional knowledge and cultural perspectives can be integrated with contemporary water management practices to better understand and address the challenges of water quality and climate change.

    FREE SESSION TO ATTEND - REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE HERE

    • Dr. Susan Gardner, Director, Ecosystems Division, United Nations Environment Progamme

    • Dr. Musonda Mumba, the Secretary General, the Convention on Wetlands

    • Mr. Shingo Mekata, Shiga Prefectural Assembly Chairperson