Water Security
and Climate Change
Conference

Keynotes

At the forefront of global challenges, our keynote speakers—distinguished experts in water security, climate change, and sustainable development—will explore the profound interplay of these critical issues. Through their insightful presentations, they will stimulate thought-provoking discussions and foster collaborations vital for pioneering innovative solutions towards a resilient, water- and food-secure future.

For further reference, selected recordings of keynotes delivered by last years’ speakers can also be accessed on this page.

Keynote Speaker 2025

Recordings from past speakers

Wouter Buytaert – Co-producing climate adaptation strategies for mountain water security

Mountains are among the most at risk of global climate change. They combine highly complex and variable biogeochemical processes with vulnerable populations and development challenges. The high complexity of such systems is a challenge to the design and implementation of adaptation strategies. They need to be adapted to the local environment, but also with the socio-cultural setting and specific human and environmental needs. A co-production approach can help ensuring that the multi-faceted needs and preferences of vulnerable communities are accounted for. Using experiences of projects in South America, Africa, and South Asia, my talk elaborates the challenges and opportunities of co-producing adaptation strategies for water security, and highlights some success stories using novel approaches and technologies for data collection, analysis, and knowledge production.

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Jami Nelson-Nuñez – Confronting the Politics of Water Security

Increasing access to drinking water was one of the success stories of the Millennium Development Goals. Yet, eight years into the Sustainable Development Goals, there is reason to believe that we are increasingly off target. To address the challenge of water security, we need to contend with misconceptions about why people lack access to water and recognize the institutional roots of water inequities. Because institutions serve to create clarity and regulate behavior, they protect the status quo and become obstacles in responding to rapidly changing water landscapes. In this talk, I draw from what communities have taught me about institutional arrangements that can increase local water security as well as what lessons political science can offer regarding our shared challenge ahead to reshape institutions to address water security at national and global levels.

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