8:45 a.m.· Welcome reception for participants in the lobby of Villa Barton.
9:15 a.m. · Opening remarks by the heads of the Swiss and French CIPEL delegations, followed by a welcome address by Mr. Nicolas Walder, Geneva State Councilor and member of the Swiss CIPEL delegation.
9:40 a.m. · Screening of a video introducing CIPEL and the challenges related to water quality in Lake Geneva.
9:50 a.m. · Interactive presentation of the key findings from the initiatives and studies conducted at the midpoint of CIPEL’s 2021–2030 Action Plan.
10:10 a.m. · Presentation on the historic success achieved in reducing phosphorus levels.
10:15 a.m. · Three consecutive interactive panel discussions on current and future challenges, featuring focused discussions among experts followed by Q&A sessions with the audience:
1. Climate change and increased pressures on aquatic environments
What adaptation strategy should be adopted in response to climate change and emerging pressures to preserve the resilience of Lake Geneva’s aquatic environments?
- Kristell Astier-Cohu – Deputy Executive Director of the Rhône-Méditerranée-Corse Water Agency
- Marcellin Barthassat – Architect and urban planner, and member of Swiss Heritage
- Géraldine Pflieger – Professor of Urban and Environmental Policy at the University of Geneva, lead author for the IPCC, and member of the Swiss delegation to the UN Climate Change Conferences
2. Invisible pollutants with very real effects
Micropollutants (pesticides, pharmaceutical residues) and microplastics, which were long undetectable, are now being identified thanks to advanced technologies. As our understanding of these substances grows, their impacts on biodiversity are becoming increasingly clear.
- Sébastien Apothéloz – Head of the Water Department for the City of Lausanne
- Jeanne Garric – Member of the Scientific Council of the Rhône-Mediterranean Basin Committee
- Christel Lamat – Project Manager at the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Health Agency
- Diana Rizzolio – Coordinator of the Geneva Environment Network, UN
3. The economic and societal value of the ecosystem services provided by Lake Geneva
Benefits of Lake Geneva for society: tourism, fishing, energy, biodiversity/natural environments, and economic activities linked to a healthy lake.
- Christian Bréthaut – Associate Professor of Water Governance at the University of Geneva
- Roxanne Dupommier – Director of the Traveller Bureau at the Geneva Tourism and Convention Board
- Alexandre Fayet – Fisherman and President of the Intercantonal Union of Professional Fishermen of Lake Geneva (SIPPL)
12:25 p.m. · An inspiring closing session featuring a talk by Charlène Descollonges, a hydrologist, author, and speaker dedicated to the preservation of life and the regeneration of the water cycle.
12:55 p.m. · Outlook and closing remarks by Nicole Gallina, Secretary General of CIPEL
1:00 p.m. · Cocktail reception, networking, and press briefing.
