At the IGSTC Strategic Conclave 2026 in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann spotlighted water management as a global imperative, particularly for India. He advocated technology for fair, efficient distribution to combat shortages.
Opening with accolades for the India AI Impact Summit, Ackermann celebrated its success and the widely signed declaration involving 80+ countries. ‘India excels as a global host,’ he remarked, pleased with Germany’s participation.
Water’s primacy overshadowed other resources, he argued, citing brewing disputes like China’s Brahmaputra dams. ‘Water mismanagement will spark more conflicts than oil ever did,’ Ackermann cautioned.
In India’s crowded cities, potable water is no longer abundant. He praised IGSTC’s proactive 2026 agenda on this front, pushing for intelligent solutions to share clean water justly.
Field stories from Indian villages underscored practical challenges, fueling productive conclave discussions among researchers and implementers. ‘This is timely and fruitful collaboration,’ he enthused.
Admitting past negligence, Ackermann invoked UN human rights on water access. Indo-German ties, he proposed, hold promise for innovative, inclusive strategies securing water for all.