Date: Wednesday 20 May
Time: 15:30 – 19:00
Venue: Residence of the Ambassador, Calle Isla de Oza 24, Madrid
Language: English
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Spain invites you to a roundtable discussion and dialogue on water resilience at the Dutch Residence in Madrid. The event is organised on the occasion of the first official visit of the Dutch Water Envoy to Spain.
Water resilience is the ability to withstand, recover from and adapt to challenges such as water scarcity, flooding and other systemic disruptions. As climate change continues to intensify, strengthening water resilience has become increasingly important across Europe and beyond.
The event will bring together Spanish and Dutch stakeholders from government, public water utilities, knowledge institutions and the private sector.
Spain has developed strong expertise in addressing structural water scarcity, recurring droughts and extreme rainfall events. This is reflected in its leading position in water reuse, efficient irrigation and innovative approaches to securing water resources for people, agriculture and ecosystems. The dialogue also contributes to the preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, where Spain will co-host the interactive dialogue “Water for Prosperity”.
The Netherlands is internationally recognised for its expertise in coastal protection, integrated water management and water governance, particularly in low-lying delta regions and urban environments.
The event also aligns with the European Water Resilience Strategy (EWRS), which focuses on strengthening Europe’s water resilience by protecting and restoring the water cycle, promoting a water-smart economy and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation.
Goals of the event
The event aims to:
- share lessons learned on drought management, resilience and climate adaptation in both urban and rural areas;
- discuss the relationship between water, food systems and biodiversity;
- explore circular approaches to reduce pressure on scarce water resources;
- contribute to a stronger European water and climate agenda;
- strengthen collaboration between Spanish and Dutch organisations and companies.
Programme
15:30 – Walk-in coffee and meet & greet with the Water Envoy
16:00 – Welcome remarks by Deputy Ambassador Daniel Kooij
Panel 1 – From Scarcity to Resilience: Spain’s Leadership in Circular Water and Reuse
Topics include:
- circular water use and reuse;
- efficient water management;
- digitalisation, data and technology;
- water reuse for sustainable food production;
- the role of public water companies in driving innovation.
Panel 2 – From Too Much Water to Climate Resilience: Integrated Flood Management
Topics include:
- integrated water management as a key element of climate adaptation;
- water as a leverage for climate resilience;
- digitalisation and risk management;
- climate-resilient cities;
- local and global climate adaptation strategies.
18:00 – Networking cocktail
