On July 29th, 2022, the "XX Ordinary Meeting of the Central American and Dominican Republic Council for Drinking Water and Sanitation (CONCARD-APS)" took place with the participation of national representatives, cooperation agencies and international organisations.
Dr. Silvia Saravia Matus, from ECLAC's Natural Resources Division, was in charge of the presentation "WATER AS A VECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT: Transformative Recovery Proposal in the framework of the UNPDF Capacity Building Project ". Saravia Matus presented ECLAC's vision of water as a central vector for sustainable development, the current challenges in the provision of drinking water and sanitation, and presented some proposals to move towards a transformative recovery in the sector. The officer also provided information on the capacity building project recently initiated in some countries of the region. This project, which is being developed simultaneously in El Salvador, Mexico and Panama, aims to identify actions and investments to increase the energy and water efficiency of current systems. Saravia Matus further highlighted the backlog in terms of investment to cover the gaps in coverage and affordability in the region, despite the existing evidence regarding the profitability and benefits of investments in water and sanitation. In addition, a progressive implementation of circular water treatment systems in the region was proposed.
Finally, Dr. Saravia Matus provided details on the upcoming United Nations Water Conference which will take place in New York in March 2023, as well as on the preparatory activities led by ECLAC for this conference together with the regional group of experts on water issues.
During this meeting, the transfer of the Pro-Tempore Presidency for the second semester of 2022 from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) of Guatemala to the National Administration of Aqueducts and Sewerage (ANDA) of El Salvador for the second semester of 2022 took place.
Press Release
Briefing note
Briefing note
