Santiago, Chile, October 9, 2025 - Within the framework of the  Regional Water Week for Latin America and the Caribbean 2025 , held at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), a process was launched aimed at transforming the way the region addresses its water and climate challenges. During the high-level session, the  Regional Investment Initiative in Water and Climate Resilience was launched ,  which seeks to mobilize at least US$20 billion in climate-resilient investments by 2030.

The initiative is  co-convened by ECLAC, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) . This regional effort responds to an urgent context:  145 million people still lack access to safe water and 323 million lack adequate sanitation , according to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Programme (JMP, 2025). The World Bank, for its part, noted in 2024 that  150 million people live in areas with water scarcity. 

The panel began with a special message from  Mr. Rodrigo Sanhueza , Director General of Aguas de Chile, welcoming attendees on behalf of the institution. The director highlighted Chile's direct experience with the water crisis, underscoring that water security is a national priority. The message conveyed the urgency of the initiative, celebrated the leadership of the co-organizers, and emphasized the critical importance of regional collaboration in addressing a challenge that transcends national borders.

Political commitment and regional leadership

This event, moderated by  Ms.  Fabiola Tábora , Regional Coordinator of GWP Central America, brought together senior representatives of governments and international organizations.

In his opening remarks,  Mr.  Martín Abeles , Director of ECLAC's Natural Resources Division, highlighted the urgency of increasing investment in water security as a foundation for sustainable development and climate resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean. This requires not only resource mobilization but also capacity development from a technical, operational, political, and prospective perspective.

For his part,  Mr. Julián Suárez Migliozzi , CAF's Manager of Sustainable Territorial Development, highlighted that the new Initiative "will have three central functions: advocating for accelerated investments, mobilizing resources for national and regional programs, and strengthening cooperation in water management, including transboundary resources."

GWP President Pablo Bereciartua described  the effort as a “collective turning point” and a key pillar of the new GWP Strategy 2026–2030. He emphasized that closing the estimated  $37 billion annual investment gap in the water sector will require “new combinations of financing and innovative coordination between public, private, and climate actors.”

Voices from the countries

The high-level panel included interventions by representatives from  Grenada, El Salvador, and Brazil , who highlighted the strategic value of the Initiative:

• Mr. Alva Browne , Permanent Secretary of Grenada's Ministry of Infrastructure, stated that "Water is the lifeblood of resilience. For the Caribbean islands, ensuring it means protecting the health, food, economy, and dignity of our people."
   
• Ms. Ethel Cabrera , President of the El Salvador Water Authority, emphasized that “institutional coherence, financial innovation, and effective international cooperation are essential to transforming commitments into sustainable actions.”
   
• Ms. Ana Carolina Argolo , Director of the National Agency for Water and Basic Sanitation of Brazil, noted that “this platform will allow national plans to be linked with regional and global investment mechanisms, strengthening water governance in South America.”
   

A global push towards COP30 and beyond

The  High-Level Panel of Heads of State and Leaders will be formally established at  COP30 (Brazil, 2025) and will represent a  regional political and investment mechanism to catalyze country-led investment programs, strengthen institutional capacities, and mobilize public and private climate finance.

The Regional Initiative aligns with the  Global Water Investment Platform (GIP) , launched as part of the  G20 Presidential Legacy by South African President  Cyril Ramaphosa , and reinforces global efforts to integrate water into the climate and sustainable development agendas.

The Panel concluded with a call to action from GWP President and Minister of Infrastructure of Buenos Aires,  Mr.  Pablo Bereciartua :

"Let's leave Santiago having launched more than just an initiative: let's launch a new era of collaboration and investment that guarantees a resilient water future for everyone in Latin America and the Caribbean."