Chengdu, May 2025 – The Annual ICOLD Congress (International Commission on Large Dams) once again brought together leading global experts in hydraulic engineering, dam safety and water management. This year, the 2025 edition of the congress was hosted in Chengdu, in southwest China, where iPresas took an active part, reaffirming its leadership in the use of risk analysis as a key tool for the safety of critical infrastructure and climate change adaptation.
With over 1,000 participants from around the world, ICOLD China 2025 offered a unique platform for technical knowledge exchange, presentation of methodological innovations, and the advancement of strategic discussions about the future of dams. Within this context, the iPresas team actively contributed through presentations in specialised workshops and official congress sessions.
Ignacio Escuder Bueno: adapting dams to climate change in the official session for Question 110
Ignacio Escuder Bueno, founding partner of iPresas and an international reference in dam safety, was invited to participate in the official session addressing Congress Question 110, focused on the adaptation of hydraulic infrastructure to extreme events and climate change.
His presentation focused on the Spanish experience in the adaptation of 310 dams through the use of risk analysis, one of the most ambitious initiatives of its kind worldwide. During his talk, he highlighted how advanced assessment models have enabled prioritisation of actions, optimisation of investments, and reinforcement of infrastructure resilience in the face of emerging threats such as extreme floods, prolonged droughts or climate-induced events.
This work was made possible thanks to close collaboration with public authorities, dam operators and national technical teams, and stands as a replicable model at international level for improving water management in an increasingly uncertain climate
Two key contributions led by Adrián Morales-Torres
Adrián Morales-Torres took part in two high-impact technical sessions:
Case studies in the Workshop on the bulletin under development on dam safety risk assessment (organised by the Dam Safety Committee):
In this session, he shared practical experiences demonstrating how risk analysis can transform dam management by enabling more informed and efficient decision-making. Through a range of case studies, he illustrated how the methodology supports the identification of priority failure modes, technical resource allocation, and improved governance of structural and hydraulic safety.
Assessment of dam safety practices in Mozambique through risk analysis, presented during the International Symposium:
In this intervention, Adrián Morales presented the findings of a recent project by iPresas in Africa, where risk analysis methodology was applied to evaluate and propose improvements in Mozambique’s dam safety management system. His presentation emphasised the value of the risk-based approach for strengthening institutional capacity and fostering a safety culture adapted to local challenges.
iPresas reaffirms its commitment to innovation and international cooperation
iPresas participation in ICOLD China 2025 reflects the company’s strong commitment to technical innovation, the continuous improvement of dam safety, and the strengthening of capabilities in diverse contexts. In both national and international projects, iPresas promotes a rigorous, transparent and globally aligned approach to risk management.
The presence in Chengdu has provided a valuable opportunity to consolidate strategic alliances, share experiences and continue moving forward in the shared goal of ensuring dam safety in a changing world.
