Welcome to the international conference “The Future of Water in the Changing World: Innovations in PFAS and micropollutants”, which will take place in Berlin, Germany, on 19-20 November 2025! This pivotal regional event is dedicated to exploring innovative solutions for addressing organic micropollutants, including pharmaceuticals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in the context of the evolving regulatory landscape in Europe.

The conference will bring together European, national and local policymakers and experts to discuss:

• Linking new EU policies with their implementation in the Baltic Sea region
• Latest data and recommendations for monitoring PFAS in the aquatic environment
• Risk-based assessments of the state of play and useful frameworks and tools for this
• Tested innovative wastewater treatment technologies to remove organic micropollutants
• Capacity building tools and upstream measures to reduce hazardous substances
• Opportunities for cross-sectoral partnerships to enhance water quality and sustainability

The impressive lineup of high-level speakers features the European Commission, ministries and environmental agencies from Germany, local authorities pioneering the PFAS awareness field, forerunning water utilities that tested technologies for micropollutant removal, and leading researchers in the field, as well as EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, HELCOM Secretariat, and UBC Sustainable Cities Commission.

APRIORA Workshop: Apply the tool yourself!

As a special, the APRIORA team organises a practical stakeholder workshop for end-users of the developed risk-assessment tool. Join us to experience the pharmaceutical path of risk assessment within the QGIS tool and get in touch with the developer and experts in the field. Participants can either apply the tool step-by-step themselves on own devices or follow-up the session visually. A preparation package will be provided for all who are interested to join our practical workshop on Thursday afternoon.

Be among the first to try out the tool and help shape its future development!

Further information and documents

• Full programme of the conference (version 17.6.2025)
• Registration to the conference (deadline: 24 October 2025)
• Practicalities

This conference is co-organised by the teams of two transnational projects – EMPEREST and APRIORA, funded by Interreg BSR Programme, and it will offer a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

We look forward to your participation in this important event!