Managing flash-flood risks in mountainous areas

Water is a critical link between climate, biodiversity, communities and economic resilience. Nature-based solutions can simultaneously strengthen water and climate resilience, support climate adaptation, protect biodiversity, and contribute to resilient food systems. Beyond their environmental benefits, they offer tangible opportunities to strengthen community resilience, support local development and underpin long-term economic prosperity.

This proposed event will explore how investment in freshwater ecosystems can help countries deliver their biodiversity, land restoration and climate commitments together. It will use three country examples to connect national priorities with the finance, technical support and coordination needed for implementation, positioning the Freshwater Challenge (FWC) as a practical vehicle for delivering existing commitments.

This session will pre-launch the Green Water Flagship Initiative, highlighting the role of green water and the full hydrological cycle in strengthening climate adaptation, ecosystem resilience and sustainable land use. Combining technical insights with policy and implementation perspectives, it will showcase emerging metrics, diagnostics and practical approaches for translating green water science into decision-making, investment and action. The session will also build momentum for the Flagship Initiative and its broader coalition of Member States and partners.