At COP30 in Belém, the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) will co-organize an in-person session with the Ministry of Cities of Brazil and Mandí, highlighting the central role of water and sanitation in building climate resilience and protecting vulnerable communities.
The discussion will advance the Baku Water for Climate Action Declaration by exploring how governments, utilities and partners can integrate water and sanitation into national adaptation plans, nationally determined contributions and climate finance frameworks. Speakers will share lessons from Brazil and beyond on how inclusive governance and coordinated investment can transform global commitments into resilient systems that safeguard people and ecosystems.
Speakers:
Jader Filho, Minister of Cities, Government of Brazil
Samanta Souza, Vice-President for Institutional Relations and Sustainability, Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo (Sabesp)
Rose Kobusinge, Founder and Director, The Vital Crest Foundation
Jochen Renger, Director for Climate Change, Rural Development and Infrastructure Division, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Rogério Tavares, Vice-President of Institutional Relations at Aegea Saneamento e Participações S.A. (AEGEA) and President of Associação Brasileira das Concessionárias Privadas de Serviços Públicos de Água e Esgoto (ABCON)
Moderators: Åsa Jonsson, Head of GWOPA/UN-Habitat; Lígia da Paz, Administrative Director, Mandí