On Monday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 26, the symposium titled “Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Health, and Equity: Key Elements for Achieving the 2030 Agenda” took place in Lima, Peru. ECLAC, represented by Dr. Silvia Saravia Matus, Economic Affairs Officer of the Natural Resources Division and responsible for water-related issues, participated in the event. The symposium was organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (AIDIS). Dr. Saravia Matus addressed the challenges and progress in achieving SDG 6 in the region, with a particular focus on equity.

As part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the symposium, organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (AIDIS), examined progress and challenges in achieving SDG 6 and its targets in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The event addressed key issues such as governance, human resource availability, regulation, monitoring, and the financing required to ensure equitable and sustainable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Successful regional experiences were highlighted, emphasizing the inequities that exclude certain population groups from sectoral public policies. In line with the principle of “leaving no one behind,” the symposium aimed to generate evidence to help Member States mobilize efforts, implement concrete actions, and ensure equity and affordability in access to these essential services, thus promoting the achievement of the objectives set out in the 2030 Agenda.

ECLAC, represented by Dr. Silvia Saravia Matus, Economic Affairs Officer of the Natural Resources Division, participated in the event to share a regional perspective on progress toward achieving SDG 6. During her participation in a discussion panel, Dr. Saravia Matus provided a strategic analysis of the challenges and progress in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the persistent inequalities affecting access to water and sanitation in the region.

New indicators published in CEPALSTAT were presented, focusing on the share of household expenditure on water and sanitation as part of total household spending. Data from household income and expenditure surveys revealed that poorer households allocate a higher proportion of their expenditures to water and sanitation compared to wealthier households. On average, the poorest quintile spends 1.3% of its total expenditure on these services, compared to 0.8% in the richest quintile, reflecting regressive tariff structures in the region. Moreover, the quality of services is generally lower for lower-income groups.

To achieve universal and equitable access to these basic services, ECLAC estimates that an annual investment equivalent to 1.38% of the regional GDP is required over 10 years. These investments would not only close gaps but also generate a positive impact on local economies, creating 3.8 million green jobs and increasing the average gross value added by 1.56%. Additionally, policies such as targeted subsidies, progressive tariffs, and structural reforms are essential to ensure financial sustainability and equity. Notable examples, such as Costa Rica’s tariff restructuring, illustrate impactful measures to advance toward more equitable and sustainable access.

To conclude the panel discussion, initiatives like ECLAC’s Regional Water Dialogues were highlighted. This platform promotes technical-political discussions to design tools that drive change in water management with a multi-stakeholder approach. These efforts aim to strengthen the technical and political capacities of countries to progress toward achieving SDG 6 while addressing the climate and social challenges affecting access to water and sanitation in the region.