Background and Relevance
Grupo Helvex, a leading Mexican company in the construction industry celebrating its 75th anniversary, and the Water Advisory Council (WAC) organized the second edition of “Water Encounter 2025” under the theme “Towards a Water Economy: Sustainability, Investment, and Competitiveness.” This event took place following the recent enactment of the Water General Law and reform of the National Water Law, bringing together business leaders, government representatives, academia, international organizations, and civil society to discuss the future of water in Mexico.
Event Participants and Key Takeaways
The panel, moderated by WAC President Raúl Rodríguez, included prominent speakers such as:
- Lic. Federico Peña, Director of Program and Project Evaluation in the Coordination of the National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability of CONAGUA
- Óscar Zavala, Subdirector General Jurídico of CONAGUA
- Patricia Herrera-Ascencio, Director General of the Mexican Institute of Water Technology (IMTA)
- Jean-Martin Brault, Senior Specialist in Water and Sanitation for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank
- Mildred Castro Hernández, Politécnica Coordinator for Sustainability at the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN)
The panelists agreed that the new legal framework presents an opportunity to transition towards a more equitable, transparent, and sustainable water governance model that recognizes water as a fundamental human right and strategic asset for national development.
Panel Discussion Highlights
Key points from the panel discussion include:
- The need to shift from viewing water as merely an input to recognizing it as a driver of economic and social development
- The importance of institutionalizing sustainability through the integration of key competencies related to sustainability in educational curricula
- The necessity for diversified financing, involving more actors in infrastructure, operation, maintenance, studies, and planning
- The significance of respecting cultural heritage and natural resources while fostering technological innovation to address climate change challenges
- The creation of a new regulatory framework with an explicit economic focus on water resources, including the reform of the National Water Law to regulate concessions and combat irregular water market practices
Priorities for the Current Administration’s Water Agenda
The panelists suggested several priorities for the current administration’s water agenda, including:
- Incorporating the industry into the National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability
- Promoting a transition towards a circular water model, moving from linear and extractive schemes to circular ones
- Increasing social inclusion and technological innovation to tackle climate change challenges
- Strengthening water security and resilience
- Encouraging water education and culture among youth through public policies
- Promoting the use of artificial intelligence in water solutions
- Exploring new financing options to diversify funding sources
Grupo Helvex’s commitment to sustainable water solutions is evident through its portfolio of over 800 products, which has helped save more than 529 million liters of water. The company remains dedicated to promoting integrated, efficient water use solutions aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the new national water agenda.
About Grupo Helvex
Grupo Helvex is a prominent Mexican company in the construction industry, operating brands like Helvex, Proyecta, and Emozioni. With a focus on high-quality bathroom and kitchen fixtures, griferia, accessories, ceramic furniture, flooring, and coatings, Grupo Helvex serves customers in Mexico, the United States, and Latin America through a network of over 600 distributors. The company employs more than two thousand people across its manufacturing facilities in Apaseo El Grande, Guanajuato, and Mexico City.
Media Contact
For media inquiries, please contact:
- Gabriela F. Guerra, Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager
- Phone: +55 5917 8512
- Email: [email protected]
- Alonso J. Rodríguez R., Tándem Consultants
- Phone: +55 9198 0226
- Email: [email protected]
