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KTH brings partners together to address complex water challenges

Professor Kaveh Madani, this year’s Stockholm Water Prize laureate, visited KTH Campus on 27 August, one day after receiving the prize from HM King Carl XVI Gustaf. His visit brought together WaterCentre@KTH, Stockholm Water Foundation and the City of Stockholm, strengthening dialogue and opening new opportunities for collaboration on water, climate and sustainable cities.

Professor Madani is an environmental scientist whose work connects water science with policy, governance and diplomacy. His research examines how societies make decisions about scarce water resources and how these decisions can affect the long-term sustainability of water systems. Professor Madani has also helped formalise the concept of “water bankruptcy”. The concept describes what happens when water systems are pushed beyond their ability to recover. Rather than viewing water crises simply as temporary shortages, it highlights how prolonged overuse and environmental pressures can fundamentally and, in some cases, irreversibly change water systems.

“Professor Madani’s career demonstrates how science can move beyond academia to influence policy, diplomacy and society. His work reminds us that addressing water challenges requires more than scientific and technical knowledge; it also demands a deep understanding of the human behaviour, institutions and political choices that shape them.”

Professor Zahra Kalantari
Director of WaterCentre@KTH

At the KTH event, Professor Madani took part in a conversation with Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. The conversation highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities, cities and organisations working at the interface of science, policy and practice. By bringing these communities together, the partnership creates opportunities for knowledge exchange and for developing joint initiatives to address complex water and climate challenges.

Professor Kaveh Madani together with Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. (Image Credit: Jon Lindhe)

Professor Kalantari emphasises that the event represents the beginning of a broader and more long-term collaboration.

“Bringing together the City of Stockholm, Stockholm Water Foundation and KTH creates valuable opportunities to connect research, policy and practice. We look forward to developing this collaboration further and creating new dialogues and initiatives around water, climate and sustainable cities.”

Looking ahead

For Stockholm Water Foundation and the City of Stockholm, the event was an opportunity to celebrate the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate and strengthen dialogue with KTH around water-related challenges and future collaboration.