Innovation for the urban water challenge: too little, too much and too dirty

The session will explore practical mechanisms for closing this gap, including grants and concessional finance, project preparation, blended finance, aggregation of projects, performance-based approaches, locally led adaptation finance and mechanisms for directing international climate finance towards subnational implementation. This closely aligns with COP31's emphasis on strengthening financial and institutional mechanisms that enable climate action

This session will examine how local governments, utilities and communities can reduce vulnerability before disasters occur and strengthen preparedness and response when they do, ensuring that the most exposed populations are not left outside formal planning and service systems.

This session will establish the overall resilience framework for the day. It will examine how cities can understand and manage water-related climate risks through integrated planning and investment: connecting urban and catchment planning, water and sanitation services, conventional grey infrastructure, and nature-based and ecosystem-based solutions.