The first day of the conference participants from all over the word flocked to the World Trade Centre in Rotterdam, ready to share knowledge and experiences related to climate change and deltas.

During the plenary opening, moderated by BBC correspondent Roger Harrabin, Professor Pier Vellinga, Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb, Minister Melanie Schultz, Professor Myles Allen and WWF International President Yolanda Kakabadse gave inspiring speeches on the urgency of climate adaptation.

'We need more delta thinkers,' said Minister Schultz, additionally stressing the need to bring scientists and practitioners together - like this conference is doing.

Picture (c) Maartje Strijbis

During dozens of sessions practitioners, policy makers and scientists look for solutions to climate proof the deltas of the world. Tonight an online magazine, the Daily Delta, will be published with the first results and photos of the conference.