Climate, Durability
Benelux Water Agenda in action: countries join forces against flooding
19 Feb. 2026
On 18 and 19 February 2026, more than seventy water experts, policymakers and researchers from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany gathered in Aachen. Their goal: to be better prepared for extreme flooding and to recover more quickly after a disaster. The workshop was organised by the JCAR ATRACE (Joint Cross‑border Action on Flood Risk and Climate Adaptation – Assessment of Transition Pathways for Climate‑Resilient Europe) partners: IWW RWTH Aachen (Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management at RWTH Aachen University), GFZ Potsdam (German Research Centre for Geosciences), and Deltares (the Dutch applied research institute for water and subsurface).
The meeting is part of the Benelux Water Agenda, the programme through which the Benelux countries strengthen their cooperation on water safety. After all, floods do not stop at borders. By sharing knowledge and experience, countries can act more quickly and effectively when things go wrong.
The workshop was opened by Oliver Krischer, Minister for Environment, Nature and Transport of North Rhine‑Westphalia. He emphasised the importance of proper preparation for extreme flooding and close cooperation between neighbouring countries to limit the impact of such disasters.
The Water Agenda builds on the 2024 European Roadmap for Enhanced Transnational Water Safety. In 2026, cooperation will be expanded to include the German state of North Rhine‑Westphalia and the Dutch programme Waterveiligheid en Ruimte Limburg. This will further strengthen the cross‑border approach.
This year, the focus is on post‑flood recovery. How can regions rebuild more quickly? Which measures reduce damage? And how can authorities better prepare today for future extreme weather events?
During the workshop in Aachen, concrete experiences from various European regions were discussed. Participants exchanged examples of successful measures and explored where further cooperation is needed. New scientific insights were also presented, ensuring that policy becomes increasingly evidence‑based.
A summary with the main findings and recommendations will be published shortly. Meanwhile, the joint work continues, with one clear goal: to better protect the region against the growing impacts of climate change.
