• Theme: Interwoven Worlds: Anthropological Engagements with the Global and Local Challenges of Climate Change and Migration
• Dates: January 29–31, 2026
• Venue: ICRISAT, Hyderabad, India

Global Knowledge Convergence

WAAC‑2026 will convene leading anthropologists, policymakers, scientists, and civil society actors to co-produce transformative knowledge on climate change, migration, adaptation, and resilience.

Alignment: SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 17 (Partnerships), UNFCCC Paris Agreement (Art. 7 on adaptation).

Policy-Informed Action Frameworks

The Congress will deliver actionable policy recommendations and frameworks grounded in applied anthropological insights, supporting just transitions and localized responses to global threats.

Alignment: SDG 16 (Peace, Justice), CSR focus on governance, UNFCCC Global Stocktake mechanism.

Community-Centered Innovations

Showcasing grassroots and indigenous strategies of climate resilience and cultural adaptation, the Congress emphasizes community wisdom in future-oriented sustainability planning.

Alignment: SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), CSR on local community development.

South–South and South–North Collaborations

WAAC‑2026 aims to strengthen networks between institutions and researchers across the Global South and Global North, enhancing mutual learning and joint research.

Alignment: SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 9 (Innovation & Infrastructure), CSR on global equity.

Youth & Indigenous Leadership Forums

Special sessions will nurture next-generation scholars and indigenous voices through fellowships, platforms for visibility, and mentorship.

Alignment: SDG 4 (Quality Education), UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment, CSR on inclusive education.

Launch of the Hyderabad Declaration on Climate and Culture

A formal declaration articulating commitments to cultural, ecological, and ethical stewardship in the Anthropocene will be released and endorsed.

Alignment: SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), UNFCCC COP-level cultural side events, CSR ethical mandates.

Strategic Collaborations and Institutional Alliances

New partnerships will be forged with global organizations, research councils, and multilateral institutions to scale the anthropological contributions to global agendas.

Alignment: SDG 17 (Partnerships), CSR on strategic alliances and science diplomacy.

Publication of Congress Proceedings

Peer-reviewed publication of presented papers and insights will contribute to global scholarship and policymaking on climate change, migration, and cultural transitions.

Alignment: SDG 9 (Research & Innovation), CSR on thought leadership and public access to science.

Digital Archives and Learning Platforms

A legacy digital archive of the Congress will be created, enabling open access to presentations, interviews, indigenous testimonies, and working group reports.

Alignment: SDG 4 (Lifelong Learning), CSR on knowledge sharing and transparency.

Blueprint for Future Anthropological Congresses

WAAC‑2026 will set a replicable model for integrating anthropological insights into global and local policy design, including Congresses focused on climate-affected regions.

Alignment: SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 1 (No Poverty), UNFCCC Loss & Damage agenda, CSR on climate-resilient planning.