At the Opening Plenary and High Level Panel sessions leading governmental, scientific, business, and NGO representatives will paint in broad strokes a picture of how far the world of 2008 has come and how to move forward to build a clean and healthy world.

Confirmed Speakers include:
- Mr. Anders Berntell, Executive Director, SIWI
- Mr. Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm
- H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
- H.E. Marc Ravalomanana, President of the Republic of Madagascar
- Prof. John Anthony Allan, 2008 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate
- Dr. Letitia A. Obeng, Chair, Global Water Partnership
- Mr. James P. Leape, Director General, WWF International
- Dr. Kamal Kar, Development Consultant, India
- Mr. José Lopez, Executive Vice President, Nestlé
- Hon. Mamphono Khaketla, Minister of Education and Training, Lesotho
- Mr. Nicholas Alipui, Director of Programmes, UNICEF
- Mr. Anders Nordström, Director General, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency