Dr. Samira Khodayar, Head of CEAM’s Meteorology and Climate Area, presented the role of climate intelligence in addressing emerging Mediterranean risks during the IURC mission held in Valencia. CEAM participates in the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme, supported by the European Union to foster cooperation between cities and regions in sustainable urban development, innovation, and resilience.
From September 20 to 22, 2026, representatives from cities and regions across Europe, Asia, and Australasia took part in an Advanced Cooperation Mission on Climate Adaptation, organised by the Valencian Community. The event, part of the IURC Community of Practice 14 on Climate Adaptation, aimed to move from exchanging experiences to concrete collaborative actions and pilot projects.
The gathering brought together representatives from Kawasaki (Japan), Christchurch (New Zealand), Sofia (Bulgaria), Pimpri-Chinchwad (India), Hamburg (Germany), and Kumanovo (North Macedonia), alongside partners from the Valencian Community. Activities focused on four shared priorities: nature-based solutions for water-related risks, heat resilience and health, climate data platforms, and citizen engagement.
During the visit to the Valencia Climate Change Observatory, Dr. Khodayar highlighted the need to translate climate knowledge into practical resilience strategies and decision support, addressing the growing climate risks affecting the Mediterranean region.
The mission also explored how to combine climate information, digital twins, green and grey infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and citizen participation to strengthen resilience against floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related risks. Lessons learned from the October 2024 DANA, as well as flood management infrastructure in Valencia, l’Albufera, the Tancat de la Pipa, and the floodable urban park of La Marjal in Alicante, were discussed.
CEAM's participation in IURC strengthens its work on Mediterranean climate extremes, climate risk, adaptation, and climate services, connecting scientific knowledge with its practical application for urban and regional resilience.
