Groundwater plays a vital role in climate change adaptation, providing an important freshwater reserve that is generally less vulnerable to droughts and changing rainfall patterns than surface water resources. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, sustainable aquifer management is therefore essential to ensure continued water security in a changing climate. 

Against this backdrop, IWRA’s Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Geographic Chapter launched Transboundary Aquifer Systems in Latin America, a five-part webinar series running from August to October 2026 examining the various challenges and opportunities relating to groundwater management across the region.

The fifth session –  Aquifers, Strategic Uses, and Conflicts in the Context of Climate Change – is taking place Tuesday 20 October at 13:00 ART/ 18:00 CEST and, like all the sessions in the series, it will be held in Spanish, with simultaneous English translation via subtitles.

Part 5: Aquifers, Strategic Uses, and Conflicts in the Context of Climate Change

As climate change intensifies water insecurity and alters rainfall patterns worldwide, aquifers are an increasingly essential resource for strengthening resilience and ensuring reliable freshwater supplies. However, increasing dependence on groundwater also raises questions about competing demands, sustainable management and cooperation, particularly where aquifers extend across national borders.

‘Aquifers, Strategic Uses, and Conflicts in the Context of Climate Change,’ the last session of our five-part webinar series, ‘Transboundary Aquifer Systems in Latin America’, explores the growing  importance of aquifers for water security and climate resilience in the region.

Our expert panel will examine both cross-border competition and collaboration over shared groundwater resources. Discussions will also focus on ways to strengthen cooperation and support sustainable aquifer management in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Register here

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Panel 

• María Paula Collazo, Latin American Association for Groundwater Hydrology Development
• Sebastián Izquierdo Abad, Organization of American States, The Water Program of the Americas
• Miguel Doria, UNESCO (TBC)

Moderator

• Jorge Werneck, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa)
  

Rapporteur

• Veronica Sykora, Young Water Professionals Argentina, International Water Association

Host

• Ariana Rossen, International Water Resources Association

 

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About the webinar series

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

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.

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

The five sessions are held in Spanish, with simultaneous English interpretation available in subtitles.

Programme

*All sessions take place 13:00-14:30 ART (Argentina time) / 18:00-19:30 CEST

1. 25 August: “International Cooperation in the Guaraní Aquifer: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges” (Watch the recordings)
2. 8 September: “Using Information and Data to Make Aquifers Visible” (Watch the recordings)
3. 22 September: “Groundwater Governance: The Challenges of Administrative Practice” (Watch the recordings)
4. 6 October: “The Role and Potential of Groundwater Organisations in Latin America” (Watch the recordings)
5. 20 October: “Aquifers, Strategic Uses, and Conflicts in the Context of Climate Change” (register here)

Join us and be part of this important conversation!