 As the world is facing unprecedented crisis in the fight against COVID-19, the international water community is increasingly looking at what it can and needs to do. How can we ensure water availability, quality, management and sustainability in the times of global unpredictability and uncertainty? These questions are at the core of IHE Delft's sixth International Symposium on knowledge and capacity development, from capacity development to implementation science. We are creating a platform where around 1,000 conference participants can meet online to discuss how to remove barriers to water capacity, manage institutional change and use big data in decision making. In a mix of webinars, plenaries, chat rooms and video conferencing, we'll be bringing together scholars, decision makers and practitioners to debate the current and future role of capacity development in water policy, practice and education. The symposium will be a catalyst in building commitment among participants that will lead to future action and collaboration. A key focus will be the potential for implementation science in developing future water capacity. We look forward to working together with you and building the future of water.