Stakeholder Forum

Taking place at the culmination of the World Hydropower Congress 2027, the Stakeholder Forum is a high-level plenary session bringing together senior leaders from governments, finance, industry, civil society and the wider energy sector.

As the Congress draws to a close, this session provides an opportunity to reflect on the key messages, insights and momentum generated over three days in Sydney, and to translate these into forward-looking statements, commitments and calls to action. Set against the theme Charging ahead, the discussion will focus on how hydropower can be scaled to strengthen energy security, enhance system reliability and support the global transition to clean energy.

To ensure a dynamic and impactful conclusion, each speaker will deliver a concise statement of no more than three minutes, without the use of slides or visual aids. The session is designed to capture a diverse range of perspectives while maintaining a clear and focused narrative on the path forward.

The Stakeholder Forum will also serve as a key moment for participants to endorse the Sydney Statement, reinforcing a shared commitment from governments, financiers and industry leaders to accelerate sustainable hydropower development in support of an energy-secure future.

Session objectives

• Bring together the key outcomes of the Congress by outlining headline announcements, opportunities and challenges for scaling hydropower in support of energy security.
• Emphasise the priority actions for governments and the financial sector to accelerate sustainable hydropower development.
• Provide a platform for stakeholders to make announcements on initiatives, projects and policies that advance hydropower’s role in delivering an energy-secure future.