{"id":21252,"date":"2026-06-08T15:49:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T19:49:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.convention.qc.ca\/?post_type=communiques&p=21252"},"modified":"2026-06-10T13:36:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T17:36:25","slug":"launch-h2orizon-international-conference-internationale","status":"publish","type":"communiques","link":"https:\/\/www.convention.qc.ca\/en\/news\/launch-h2orizon-international-conference-internationale\/","title":{"rendered":"A New Global Water Conference Is Born in Qu\u00e9bec City"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Qu\u00e9bec City Convention Centre and the Cit\u00e9 des Congr\u00e8s de Nantes<\/a> (and Exponantes<\/a>) announced the official launch of H\u2082Orizon, a new international conference dedicated to sustainable water management. The announcement was made during the Qu\u00e9bec Capitale Climat 2026 Summit<\/a>, in the presence of Universit\u00e9 Laval Rector Sophie D\u2019Amours. Jointly initiated by the two convention centres this conference was created to foster dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the emergence of concrete solutions in response to the growing global challenges related to water. The first edition will take place from February 14 to 17, 2027<\/strong>, at the Qu\u00e9bec City Convention Centre.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Under the aegis of Universit\u00e9 Laval<\/a> and in collaboration with Nantes Universit\u00e9<\/a>, H\u2082Orizon will bring together researchers, public decision-makers, private-sector stakeholders, Indigenous representatives, non-governmental organizations, and international experts to address the major water-related challenges of our time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\u201cH\u2082Orizon reflects exactly what we want for Qu\u00e9bec City: to be an international crossroads where science meets action. This conference demonstrates the Qu\u00e9bec City Convention Centre\u2019s ability to bring together world-class expertise around issues that are critical to the future. Beyond the economic benefits and the visibility such an event generates for our destination, H\u2082Orizon will help foster lasting collaborations and concrete solutions to one of the major challenges of our time. We are proud to contribute to the creation of this unique event centered on such a sensitive issue as water,<\/em>\u201d said Ms. Caroline Lepage, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Qu\u00e9bec City Convention Centre.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n

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On the French side, Mr. Denis Caille, Chief Executive Officer of the Cit\u00e9 des Congr\u00e8s de Nantes, welcomed a long-standing collaboration between the two regions: \u201cFor years, the cities of Qu\u00e9bec and Nantes, through their convention centres in particular, have collaborated on common themes: culture, digital technology, and the environment. Building on this relationship, the Qu\u00e9bec City Convention Centre and the Cit\u00e9 des Congr\u00e8s de Nantes are launching a new cooperation project focused on water. A conference will be held in February 2027 in Qu\u00e9bec, followed by another in Nantes in 2029, with the active participation of Universit\u00e9 Laval and Nantes Universit\u00e9. This theme was not chosen at random, as beyond the broader climate challenges we are facing, water is a major concern in both Canada and France, and particularly in Qu\u00e9bec and Nantes. We are confident that this new collaboration will be a success and will mobilize all our institutional, economic, and scientific partners in both France and Canada. This event is also proof of the dynamism of the cooperation between our two regions and of our shared values,<\/em>\u201d said Mr. Denis Caille.
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As a key partner institution of this initiative, Universit\u00e9 Laval plays a central role in structuring the conference\u2019s scientific program.<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\u201cUniversit\u00e9 Laval, drawing on the expertise of its research community, particularly within the c-EAU<\/a> centre and the CentrEau<\/a> network, is positioning itself as a key player in water management innovation. H\u2082Orizon represents a privileged opportunity to showcase this expertise internationally and to foster meaningful exchanges on major water-related challenges. Alongside our academic, industrial, and governmental partners, we are committed to making this conference a driver of collaboration and progress toward sustainable solutions,<\/em>\u201d said Ms. Eug\u00e9nie Brouillet, Vice-Rector for Research, Creation, and Innovation at Universit\u00e9 Laval.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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C\u00e9line Vaneeckhaute, professor at Universit\u00e9 Laval, director of the Universit\u00e9 Laval Water Research Centre (c-EAU), and scientific ambassador of H\u2082Orizon 2027, also expressed enthusiasm for this unique initiative: \u201cThis international water conference is a unique opportunity to bring together researchers, policymakers, municipalities, industry representatives, and field actors around major challenges related to sustainable water management. In a context marked by climate change and increasing pressure on water resources, the event aims to foster international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of concrete, implementable solutions. The collaboration between Qu\u00e9bec and Nantes reflects a shared commitment to advancing knowledge and practices in order to better address environmental, territorial, and societal water-related challenges,<\/em>\u201d said Ms. Vaneeckhaute.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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H\u2082Orizon is also supported by a strategic partnership with Carrefour de l\u2019eau<\/a>, whose expertise and network of stakeholders strengthen the conference\u2019s anchoring within Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s water community and beyond. This collaboration reflects a growing dynamic, as Qu\u00e9bec City increasingly positions itself as an international reference hub where research, innovation, and strategic dialogue converge on major water issues.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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H\u2082Orizon 2027 is built around four complementary ambitions: fostering a high-level scientific dialogue platform, showcasing knowledge and innovations from all continents, building a lasting international expert network, and generating concrete action pathways for global dissemination.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Individuals and organizations interested are invited to register on the official conference website and follow upcoming announcements to stay informed. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n \n Visit Website<\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Qu\u00e9bec City Convention Centre and the Cit\u00e9 des Congr\u00e8s de Nantes (and Exponantes) announced the official launch of H\u2082Orizon, a new international conference dedicated to sustainable water management. ","protected":false},"featured_media":21200,"parent":0,"template":"","categorie-communiques":[606,607,615],"class_list":["post-21252","communiques","type-communiques","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categorie-communiques-event-ambassadors","categorie-communiques-events","categorie-communiques-press-releases"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOfficial launch of H\u2082Orizon | Qu\u00e9bec City Convention Centre<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n