Eveline Lemke to Open CIDIP/ICPME 2026 with a Keynote on Resilience, Sustainability, and Recovery After Major Climate Disasters

The 30th International Congress on Project Management and Engineering (CIDIP/ICPME 2026), to be held from July 7–9, 2026, at the Universitat Jaume I – School of Technology and Experimental Sciences (ESTCE) in Castellón, Spain, will feature Eveline Lemke, one of Europe’s leading voices in the fields of circular economy, systems thinking, and energy transition.

Her keynote address will take place on Wednesday, July 8, at 1:00 PM under the title “The Ahr Valley: Building Resilience Through Innovation at the Edge of Chaos.” As the opening keynote of the Congress, the presentation will explore how societies can recover, rebuild, and become stronger in the aftermath of extreme climate events.

Eveline Lemke, founder of the think tank Thinking Circular, will discuss the lessons learned from the reconstruction of Germany’s Ahr Valley, an experience that holds particular relevance for the Valencia Region following the devastating floods of 2024.

Between 2011 and 2016, Eveline Lemke served as Minister for Economic Affairs, Climate Protection, Energy and Spatial Planning and as Deputy Minister-President of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany). During her time in office, she promoted pioneering policies in sustainability, renewable energy, resource efficiency, and circular economic models.

Today, she works as an international consultant specializing in circular economy, energy transition, raw materials, and Cradle to Cradle (C2C) eco-design. She is also a member of the Supervisory Board of ABO Wind AG and founder of Thinking Circular, a think tank recognized by the United Nations as a reference center for sustainability.

A Relevant Case for the Valencia Region

The topic of the opening keynote is particularly significant for the region hosting this edition of the Congress. In July 2021, the Ahr Valley experienced one of the most devastating floods in Europe in recent decades. Just three years later, in October 2024, the Valencia Region was struck by severe flooding that claimed more than two hundred lives and affected numerous municipalities, critical infrastructures, and economic activities.

While the two disasters occurred under different circumstances, they share several challenges that are highly relevant to both engineering and project management: the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, emergency response management, economic and social recovery, climate adaptation, and the development of more resilient systems capable of withstanding future extreme events.

Five years after the disaster, the Ahr Valley has become an international case study in innovation and resilience. Progress achieved in infrastructure reconstruction, spatial planning, water resource management, mobility systems, energy networks, and social innovation is currently being analyzed by a broad scientific network composed of thirteen research institutions.

Through Thinking Circular, Eveline Lemke leads one of these institutions. The objective of this scientific collaboration is to identify the factors that enable communities to build long-term resilience and successfully address the challenges posed by climate change and the growing complexity of socio-economic systems.

Her keynote will offer a strategic and inspiring perspective on the challenges facing engineering, project management, and sustainability today, demonstrating how technological innovation, environmental responsibility, and systemic leadership can contribute to building territories and communities that are better prepared for the future.

With this opening keynote, the International Congress on Project Management and Engineering reaffirms its commitment to addressing major global challenges through the lenses of project management, engineering, and sustainable development, further consolidating its position as one of the leading international forums for knowledge exchange in these fields.

CIDIP/ICPME 2026 is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible development.