The Águas de Portugal Group promotes, on 12 November, a session dedicated to the strategic role of water in climate resilience, integrated into the Portugal Pavilion programme of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), which runs from 9 to 20 November 2026 in Antalya, Turkey, as disclosed in a press release.
According to the same source, the initiative will bring together representatives from the water sector to discuss the challenges of adapting to climate change and to present solutions that reinforce water security and the capacity of water supply and sanitation systems to respond, in a context marked by increasingly frequent and intense climate phenomena.
Under the theme “Water and Climate Resilience – From Infrastructures to Digital Intelligence, Circularity and Action” (Water for Climate Resilience – From Infrastructure to Digital Intelligence, Circularity and Action), the session will highlight concrete experiences developed in Portugal to increase the resilience of territories and essential services.
The opening will be delivered by António Carmona Rodrigues, President of the Águas de Portugal Group.
The debate will feature Bruno Coimbra, President of Águas do Douro e Paiva, Cláudio de Jesus, President of Águas do Tejo Atlântico, Helena Lucas, President of Águas do Algarve, and Vera Eiró, President of ERSAR, who will address topics such as water supply security, climate adaptation in sanitation, water reuse, the circular economy, energy autonomy, technological innovation and the role of regulation and investment in promoting resilience.
Moderation will be handled by Ricardo Campos, President of the Energy and Climate Forum.
The session’s closing will be ensured by João Manuel Esteves, Secretary of State for the Environment, underscoring the centrality of water in public policies for climate change adaptation and Portugal’s commitment to building more resilient territories.
COP31 brings together governments, international organizations, companies, academia and experts from around the world to accelerate the global response to climate changes. Resilience constitutes one of the central priorities of this edition, which includes among its ten thematic axes the “Climate-Resilient Cities” (Climate-Resilient Cities). In this context, the presence of the Secretary of State for the Environment at the session promoted by the Águas de Portugal Group in the Portugal Pavilion underscores the importance attributed by Portugal to water as a critical factor of climate adaptation and sustainable development.
With this participation, the Águas de Portugal Group aims to contribute to the international debate on the role of water services in adapting to climate changes, sharing the national experience in implementing solutions that strengthen water security, continuity of supply and the resilience of territories.
The session will be broadcast live, on 12 November, via the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, enabling remote participation.
