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Recap ‘Future is Now’ 4 Osaka!

During the final week of World Expo 2025 in Osaka Kansai, we proudly hosted the 4th “Future is Now” event at the Dutch Pavilion, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Professionals, students, and academics came together to explore how we can build a more resilient and sustainable future. Together with Wetskills, YWP Japan, and Wavemakers United, we organized an inspiring afternoon focused on preparing the next generation of water professionals for the challenges ahead.

Enjoy the recap!

“The future doesn’t belong to those who wait for permission. The future belongs to those who are ready to lead—right now.
Marc Kuipers
Consul General and Commissioner General of the Netherlands

Marc Kuipers captured the spirit of the event perfectly and the sentiment lies at the heart of what Wavemakers United stands for.Together, we’re not just talking about the future — we’re building it.

Event highlights

The event was filled with milestone moments, highlighted by the launch of Wave Japan – YWP. In a symbolic handover, Wave Indonesia, represented by project manager Sabrina Farah Salsabilla, passed the baton to Wave Japan, led by Youhei Nomura and Asami Nagao from the International Water Association Young Water Professionals Japan. Together, they continue our shared mission to connect, empower, and amplify existing initiatives—addressing global water challenges of too much, too dirty, and too little water.

Another moment of celebration came with the introduction of the new International Youth Board. Both the outgoing and incoming boards joined us online, allowing us to express our gratitude to the previous board and a warm welcome to the new one.

The day also featured the Wetskills finals, where teams presented their final pitches, followed by an engaging World Café session that encouraged participants to exchange ideas and reflect on key lessons from the day.

Key Takeaways

  • Collaboration and equality form the foundation for innovation.

  • Young people play a key role in solving global water challenges.

  • International connections, such as YWP, Wetskills, and Wave Japan, strengthen the impact of local initiatives.

  • Sharing knowledge means building resilience.

A big thank-you to everyone for making this possible!

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