Advancing solutions for water-related challenges in Latin America together 2024

In this context, the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), together with the embassies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela hosted two interactive webinars to provide best practices, exchange solutions, and foster partnerships between the Dutch and Latin American water sectors. 

The 'Advancing solutions for water-related challenges in Latin America together' webinar series is a continuation of the webinars held in 2020, 2021 and 2022, where Latin American and Dutch experts had the opportunity to discuss topics such as climate resilience, water quality, agriculture, and water governance. As the region is increasingly suffering from the effects of floods, heat waves, drought, water shortages, and sanitation crises, the theme for 2024's series is 'Prevention, Mitigation and Adaptation Approaches Against Climate Emergencies.'

These webinars were meant to connect Dutch and Latin American water experts including: water authorities, environmental projects stakeholders, engineering firms, consultancies, knowledge institutions, and NGOs working on water and environmental projects and wishing to generate a greater impact.

Webinar 1: Nature-based Solutions | 19 March 2024

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) involves restoring, protecting, and using the natural water systems to produce responses to face (and build resilience to prevent) water challenges such as: floods, heat stress, sanitation crises, and biodiversity loss. The UN Environment Programme estimates that by 2030, global investment in NbS needs to be tripled in order to meet climate mitigation, biodiversity and land restoration goals. As tried and true examples of NbS come into the forefront and become more recognised to governments and infrastructure financiers, they offer opportunities for Latin American water experts to integrate them as part of their operating strategy.

Presentations overview:

• Designing with nature-based Solutions: lessons and considerations | presentation by Eduardo Marin of Felixx
• Nature-based Solutions for a bus terminal in Belize: pre-feasibility report | presentation by Elisa Donadi of Rebel Group
• Sustainable Routes: a culture of Nature and Water | presentation by Adrian Puentes of BD+P

Recordings:

Webinar 2: Emergency Management | 19 June 2024

The consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly visible worldwide. Most notably, it has led to more extreme weather events, resulting in droughts, floods, rapidly increasing urban heat stress, and other climate change-related disasters which often affect the most vulnerable populations. Comprehensive disaster and climate risk management as well as emergency solutions could help mitigate these effects. This webinar seeks to answer the following questions:

• In  terms of policy and implementation, how can we find a balance between preventive and responsive measures?
• What tools are available to meet ever-increasing need for climate adaptation?
• What best practices are available for climate adaptation and mitigation?
• How to mobilise funding for climate preparedness and emergency response?

Presentations overview:

• Flood risk management in Latin America | presentation by Klaas de Groot of The World Bank
• Anticipating and adapting to water scarcity and drought: practical solutions | presentation by Evelyn Aparicio of FutureWater
• From prediction to action: understanding and preventing drought and its effects | presentation by Marcela Busnelli of BlueSedDynamics
• Groundwater and droughts | presentation by Natalia Uribe of Acacia Water
• A new approach to planning: the Water Security Financing Framework | presentation by Mónica Altamirano of ALTAMIRA:
• Tools for integral water management (HERMANA) | presentation by Saúl Buitrago of Awaio

Recordings: