The World Water Forum is the largest event on the subject held worldwide. The event takes place every three years and aims to discuss ways to evolve towards an economy/society that conserves and uses our water resources rationally. To this end, several discussions are promoted at the event, addressing new technologies, governance, and national and international political scenarios.

The Forum is organized by the World Water Council, whose current presidency is held by Professor Benedito Braga, and by its Brazilian representatives, the members of the Brazil Section, of which CEBDS is a member. The Brazil Section, composed of representatives from government, companies, academia and civil society, is responsible for organizing the 8th World Water Forum, which will be held in Brasília in 2018.

The path to the structuring, governance and official holding of the 8th Forum began on 03/24/16 in a ceremony held at the headquarters of ADASA/DF, and was attended by several government and water sector leaders, including: Rodrigo Rollemberg – Governor of the Federal District; Ivan Camargo – Rector of UNB; Venilton Tadini – President of ABDIB; Vicente Andreu – President of ANA; Paulo Salles – President of ADASA; Carlos Klink – Executive Secretary of MMA; Rapahel Azeredo – Director of MRE; and Osvaldo Garcia – Director of the Secretariat of Water Infrastructure of the Ministry of Integration.

During the Ceremony, the Governor of the Federal District highlighted the importance of the event, whose last edition, in South Korea, brought together 40 thousand people from 168 countries, as being the largest event of his government and the city of Brasília for the coming years, and a great opportunity to give political strength to the issue in the country, as well as advance the research and technology agendas.

The governance structure of the 8th World Water Forum was presented at the same event, where CEBDS will have a prominent role with the participation of its president, Marina Grossi, in the Forum's International Committee, the highest decision-making body that will approve all of the Forum's actions. Additionally, CEBDS will have a prominent role in organizing an entire sustainability agenda, including a series of initiatives such as a thematic competition, film festival, gastronomic festival and cultural shows that will take place during the event. In addition to this specific agenda, CEBDS is also responsible for ensuring that sustainability permeates the entire Forum's agenda.

The 8th World Water Forum will take place from March 18 to 23, 2018 in Brasília, at the Ulysses Guimarães Convention Center, and will also feature a trade fair/exhibition at the National Stadium of Brasília (Mané Garrincha). Save the date and stay up to date with CEBDS's actions and the events of Rumo a Brasília 2018 (schedule to be announced).

Figure 01 – Governance Structure of the 8th World Water Forum, Brasília 2018.