International Cooperation in the Guaraní Aquifer: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges - International Water Resources Association

Tuesday 25 August 2026 | 13:00-14:30 Buenos Aires / 18:00-19:30 CEST | Online (Zoom) | Webinar no. 83

Background

Transboundary aquifer systems play a vital role in supporting communities, ecosystems, and economic activities across Latin America. Yet, their long-term sustainability is under threat – and in need of more effective cooperation between countries, informed by science and shared knowledge.

To explore the different challenges and opportunities, IWRA’s Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Geographic Chapter is launching a five-part webinar series from August to October: Transboundary Aquifer Systems in Latin America.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience with the Guaraní Aquifer and other transboundary systems in the region, leading experts will share their findings and discuss with the audience practical approaches to foster knowledge exchange and strengthen groundwater governance in Latin America and beyond.

Part 1: International Cooperation in the Guaraní Aquifer: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges

The series starts on Tuesday 25 August with Part 1: International Cooperation in the Guaraní Aquifer: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges.

This first session aims to identify the key lessons emerging from more than two decades of cooperation on the Guaraní Aquifer System, and assess how this experience can support the governance of other transboundary aquifers facing today’s environmental, political, and climate challenges.

Register here

Panel

Moderation

Pilar Villar, Professor at the Sea Institute of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)

Speakers

Alberto Manganelli, Executive Director of the Regional Centre for Groundwater Management in Latin America and the Caribbean – CeReGAS
Sandra Martínez, Argentine representative at the Guarani Aquifer System transboundary Monitoring and Modeling Committee
Ricardo Burg Mlynarz, Regional Coordinator of the Project for Conservation, Sustainable Development, and Integrated Management of the Pantanal and Upper Paraguay River Basin (WWF/UNEP/GEF)

Rapporteur

Gabriela Calderón, Assistant Researcher, National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP)

About the webinar series: Transboundary Aquifer Systems in Latin America

Overall, the series aims to examine the various scientific, climatic, governance, and policy dimensions of transboundary systems in the region, through a combination of expert presentations, panel dialogues, and audience participation.

The webinar series is designed to follow a logical progression, with each session exploring a different aspect of transboundary aquifer systems while contributing to a broader understanding of their governance and management in Latin America.

The five sessions will be held between August and October, with one session every two weeks. They will be held in Spanish, with simultaneous English interpretation available in subtitles.

All sessions start with presentations, followed by a structured panel discussion, a roundtable Q&A, and conclusions provided by the moderator.

Programme
*All sessions will take place 18:00-19:30 CEST/13:00-14:30 Buenos Aires local time

25 August: International Cooperation in the Guaraní Aquifer: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges (register here)
8 September: Using Information and Data to Make Aquifers Visible (register here)
22 September: The Role and Potential of Groundwater Organisations in Latin America (register here)
6 October: Overcoming Structural Challenges in Groundwater Governance (register here)
20 October: Aquifers, Strategic Uses, and Conflicts in the Context of Climate Change (register here)

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IWRA Webinars constitute an additional resource designed to help our members, academics, dedicated practitioners, and policy professionals further explore these and other timely themes engaging in fruitful discussions, also aligned with the international water agenda and in close collaboration with key partners.