Vienna, (Muhammad Amir Siddique) – The Embassy of Pakistan in collaboration with the Vienna Diplomatic Academy convened an International Water Symposium of Vienna on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Diplomatic Academy’s Festsaal (Grand Hall). The Symposium brought together diplomats, academics and international experts to discuss water security and international cooperation. A separate session was dedicated to discuss transboundary river governance, rights and obligations of riparian states under international law and treaties.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar delivered the keynote address at the Symposium, through a pre-recorded message. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the growing challenge to water security arising from climate change, population growth, urbanisation and unsustainable consumption, and called for stronger international cooperation, improved governance and technological innovation.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed grave concern over India’s unilateral decision to place Indus Waters Treaty in “abeyance”. He condemned the weaponization of water and warned that such action jeopardised water, food and energy security of Pakistan’s 250 million people, alongside the ecosystems sustained by the Indus river system.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the Treaty does not permit unilateral suspension and that agreements must be honoured. He highlighted the Court of Arbitration’s unanimous Award of 31 August 2026, which confirms that the Treaty remains fully in force and that India remains bound by its obligations. He also noted Pakistan’s full and constructive engagement in the ongoing Neutral Expert proceedings concerning the design compliance of Indian hydroelectric projects on the Western Rivers.

He stressed that respect for treaty obligations and the rights of lower riparian states carries significance beyond any single bilateral relationship. Shared rivers, he affirmed, should remain pathways for cooperation, stability and human development rather than instruments of coercion.

The Symposium opened with remarks by Ambassador Martin Eichtinger, Director of the Vienna Diplomatic Academy, and Ambassador Mohammad Kamran Akhtar Malik, Ambassador of Pakistan to Austria. Mr. Adeel Ahmad Khan, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Pakistan, moderated the proceedings.

The first panel examined transboundary rivers and international water law, with contributions from Ambassador Mohamed Ibrahim Nasr of Egypt, Professor Dr. Ayşegül Kibaroğlu of MEF University, and Mr. Mehr Ali Shah, Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner, who participated online.

The second session addressed global water security and international cooperation. Ambassador Manuchehr Jobir of Tajikistan delivered an introductory statement at the Dushanbe Water Conference. Panelists included Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang of Viet Nam, Ms. Natalie Degger of UNIDO and Ms. Jodie Miller of the IAEA. Discussions explored diplomatic cooperation, scientific evidence, sustainable industrial practices and innovation in management. water

The Symposium helped in highlighting the crucial role of treaties as frameworks for peace and stability and the imperative of compliance with them by all parties. It helped sensitize the audience about the significance of Indus Water Treaty and reaffirmed the Country Arbitration’s ruling that unilateral actions cannot override treaty obligations on the rights of the river riparian.

In his concluding remarks, Pakistan’s His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Kamran Akhtar Malik thanked all the attendees for participating in the conference.