Zamorano University, together with AguaClara Reach and Agua Para el Pueblo, hosted the Global Leadership Dialogue on Scaling Transformative Technologies for Sustainable Developmenton September 21–22, 2026. Over two days, the event brought together leaders from academia, government, international development organizations, the private sector, philanthropy, and civil society to strengthen partnerships and explore how proven technologies can be scaled to reach more communities.
With millions of people still facing barriers to safe water and other essential services, the dialogue addressed water and sanitation gaps across Latin America and explored how research, innovation, investment, and cross-sector collaboration can help advance sustainable solutions.
Opening remarks were delivered by Jeffery P. Cohen, President of Zamorano University; Elena Tiffert-Vaughan, Board Member of AguaClara Reach; and Aminta Núñez, Executive Director of Agua Para el Pueblo. Cohen highlighted the impact AguaClara solutions have had on the health and well-being of communities.
Dr. Monroe Weber-Shirk, Founder and Director of Innovation at AguaClara Reach, shared insights from more than two decades of research and implementation, emphasizing the importance of turning research and evidence-based approaches into practical, scalable solutions that respond to community needs.
Aminta Núñez highlighted the collaboration between Agua Para el Pueblo and AguaClara Reach and the field experience that has helped adapt these technologies to local needs. Today, more than 117,000 people have access to safe water in their homes through AguaClara solutions in Honduras, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Puerto Rico.
Elena Tiffert-Vaughan also emphasized that access to water is a human right closely connected to health, education, productivity, and equal opportunity, as well as the importance of developing simple, efficient solutions tailored to the realities of each community.
Zamorano University played an active role throughout the event. Erika Tenorio, Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Development, participated in a strategic panel on scaling transformative technologies alongside Henry Gudiel, Director of Water For People, and Aminta Núñez. The discussion explored the partnerships, policies, and investments needed to bring successful models to new communities and settings.
Participants also toured the AguaClara water treatment facilities at Zamorano University, where they learned about innovative treatment systems, including the PF70 platform, and their potential applications in research, education, emergency response, and community-scale water treatment.
The dialogue also included representatives from the World Bank, World Vision, Water For People, CONASA, PetroTal, and the Government of Peru, among other organizations, reinforcing the importance of collaboration among governments, universities, development institutions, the private sector, and civil society to expand the reach of safe water solutions.
On the second day, participants visited Morocelí, where an AguaClara system has been operating for 12 years. The visit provided an opportunity to engage directly with community members, hear about their experiences, and gain firsthand insight into the technology’s long-term impact.
The program also featured Hania Pérez de Cuéllar, former Minister of Housing, Construction, and Sanitation of Peru, President of Fundación Encuentros, and advisor to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on Amazon projects, who emphasized the importance of innovation, strategic partnerships, and collaborative intelligence in expanding the reach of sustainable safe water solutions.
The dialogue concluded with participants identifying priority areas, opportunities for collaboration, and commitments to turn ideas into action. Through the event, Zamorano University, AguaClara Reach, and Agua Para el Pueblo strengthened connections among research, innovation, and real-world experience, advancing partnerships to expand sustainable access to safe water across Latin America.
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