The 2026 conference will take place at UAntwerpen on 3 December 2026, at the Hof van Liere, and will be dedicated to the multiple dimensions of drought.
Drought is no longer an isolated environmental issue. Across Belgium and Europe, it is increasingly affecting ecosystems, agriculture, forests, public health, water availability, infrastructure, biodiversity, and economic resilience.
Join leading researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students from across Belgium for a unique interuniversity conference exploring drought as a systemic climate risk and identifying pathways towards more resilient societies.
Throughout the day, participants will gain insights into the latest research on:
- Drought impacts on forests, biodiversity, ecosystems and agriculture
- Water scarcity, water security and groundwater recharge
- Climate-related risks to infrastructure and the built environment
- Wildfires, soil degradation and ecosystem resilience
- Social vulnerability, water poverty and public policy
- Climate adaptation, nature-based solutions and risk governance
- Emerging tools for drought forecasting, risk assessment and decision-making
The program features keynote presentations by renowned experts, thematic panel sessions, interactive workshops, serious games, and opportunities to exchange ideas across disciplines and sectors. The discussions will feed into a white paper on knowledge gaps related to drought risks in Belgium, with optional involvement by all conference participants.
Why participate?
- Discover cutting-edge Belgian and international research on drought and climate risks through both scientific talks and various workshops
- Engage with experts from universities, research institutes, public administrations and civil society
- Explore innovative approaches to drought preparedness, adaptation and resilience
Whether you are a researcher, policymaker, practitioner, student, environmental professional, or simply interested in climate resilience, this conference offers a unique opportunity to better understand one of the most pressing challenges facing Belgium and Europe.
Date and venue
📅 3 December 2026 (9h - 16h45)
📍 University of Antwerp (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp)
Registration is now open. Reserve your place and join the conversation on building resilience to drought and complex climate risks.
Organised by CERAC (Climate Risk Assessment Center) in collaboration with Belgian universities and research partners (KULeuven, UAntwerp, UCL, ULB, UGent, UHasselt, ULiège, UMons, UNamur, VUB).