For the second consecutive year, ECLAC supports the Federal Training Program on Integrated Management of Water Resources, organized by the Federal Investment Council of Argentina

The masterclass, led by Silvia Saravia Matus, Economic Affairs Officer in charge of water at ECLAC, began with a detailed overview of water resources in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the centrality of water in various productive sectors and the scarcity faced by the region. Despite progress in the coverage of drinking water and sanitation services, large gaps persisted that needed to be addressed to ensure safe and equitable management of these services.

During the session, challenges related to water management, such as pollution, deteriorating infrastructure and the effects of climate change, were discussed. It was stressed that water governance is essential and that a comprehensive and coordinated approach between multiple actors and sectors is needed to overcome these challenges. Furthermore, the importance of gender equity in water management was emphasized. Women and girls are frequently discriminated against in access to and use of water across all sectors, and much remains to be done to fully integrate gender concerns into policies related to water management. The need for inclusive policies that consider gender perspectives to achieve equitable and effective water management was also highlighted.

The approach of the water-energy-food-environment nexus was also introduced, highlighting its usefulness in developing coherent and sustainable multi-sectoral actions. Case studies were presented in Bolivia and Ecuador, showing the benefits and challenges of implementing water infrastructure projects with this approach. The creation and implementation of policies require intersectoral solutions and effective coordination. It was discussed that the implementation of the Nexus approach would allow for the generation of more coherent, effective, efficient and sustainable actions, optimizing available resources and ensuring the efficiency of resource governance.

The class not only addressed current issues, but also offered concrete proposals to improve water management and governance. The need to create sound regulatory frameworks, promote citizen participation and develop institutional capacities was underlined. The importance of making substantial investments and adopting integrated approaches to ensure sustainable and equitable management of water resources was also highlighted. In this regard, participants were invited to share their views on how to achieve an efficient water governance system, using interactive tools to encourage dialogue and participation.

In conclusion, the importance of strong and coordinated governance to overcome water challenges in the region was underlined during the exchange. The implementation of integrated water management, considering gender equity and the interconnection between water, energy, food and the environment, is essential to promote sustainable and equitable use of water for the benefit of all. The active participation of various actors and the adoption of inclusive and coordinated policies are essential to face current and future challenges in water resources management. This seminar made it clear that, to achieve efficient and equitable water governance, a joint commitment and a multidisciplinary approach involving all relevant sectors and actors is necessary.