Date: 19 November

Time: 11:30 - 13:00

Location: Pavilion TD9

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As climate change exacerbates water-related challenges, there is a growing need for systems strengthening to ensure resilient and sustainable water management. This thematic day, "Building transformational resilience: Systems approaches for climate and water management" explores and promotes innovative, integrated solutions for a resilient future.

This opening panel will introduce the concept of systems strengthening and its critical role in building resilience to water and climate-related challenges. It aims to establish a shared framework for understanding the complexities of water and climate resilience, focusing on breaking down barriers between sectors and stakeholders. By drawing on expertise from diverse fields, this session will emphasize the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, the integration of science and data (including citizen and open science and AI), and the role of bottom-up approaches in strengthening water systems in the face of increasing climate risks.

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Moderator and opening remarks by Anil Mishra, Chief of Section, Hydrological Systems and Climate Change Adaptation, UNESCO

Opening remarks by Meike van Ginneken, Water Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands  

Case study presentations:

• Case study 1: Hydropower and storage by Eddie Rich, CEO, International Hydropower Association (IHA)
• Case study 2: Climate Resilient Water Management by John Matthews, Executive Director, AGWA
• Case study 3: Achieving global goal on adaptation by Jose Gesti, Senior water and climate consultant, Sanitation and Water for all

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Speakers for panel discussion:

• Yuliya Vistavna, Isotope hydrologist, IAEA
• John Pomeroy, UNESCO Chair on Mountain Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan
• Callist Tindimugay, Commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda  
• Elena Lopez Gunn, Director of ICATALIST 
• Katrien Vanhooydonck, Water-Climate Hub coordinator, VITO
• Taiwhan Kim, Planning Director of Asian Water Council, Principal Specialist, Global Cooperation Department of K-water