6 January 2025 | Briefing note
Water management is a complex challenge that requires a collaborative approach, as it encompasses multiple dimensions and stakeholders, demanding a strong commitment to foster dialogue and cooperation. In this context, the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Expert Group on Water Resources (LAC), established in 2022, serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas and innovative solutions that benefit the region. Through this platform, collaboration is encouraged in events, publications, and projects involving various stakeholders related to water issues in the region
23 December 2024 | Briefing note
Since its inception, the ROSA Project (Regional Network and Observatory for Water Sustainability) has been tasked with addressing the so-called "water and sanitation crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean." One of its main strategies has been to contribute to accelerating the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). However, the region generally lacks reliable statistics and information on water management, governance, and environmental aspects. Additionally, there is fragmentation of existing information across various national institutions, as well as unequal capacities among countries to report on sustainable water resource management indicators. Consequently, the main objective of the ROSA Project has been to strengthen the capacities of countries in the region to generate and use timely, reliable, and standardized information to promote effective policies and instruments for sustainable water management in a changing environment amid the challenges of climate change.
6 December 2024 | Briefing note
On December 6, 2024, the sixth and final online training session for the Plurinational State of Bolivia took place under the framework of the ROSA Project (Network and Observatory for Water Sustainability). The session was titled "The Water Convention - A Tool to Improve the Management of Transboundary Waters." The event aimed to address key questions such as: What is its objective? How does it work? And what are the benefits for a country to adhere to it?
5 December 2024 | Briefing note
Dr. Silvia L. Saravia Matus, Economic Affairs Officer in charge of Water Affairs at ECLAC, participated on December 5 in the seminar organized by the International Water Association (IWA). Her presentation addressed the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change in water resource management in Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizing the need for effective governance, sustainable investments, and adaptation strategies.
4 December 2024 | Briefing note
On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the webinar titled “Wastewater as a Solution for Climate Mitigation and Methane Reduction – Overlooked Opportunities” was held. This event brought together prominent international experts to discuss the role of wastewater treatment as a key tool in combating climate change and reducing methane emissions. Dr. Silvia Saravia Matus, Economic Affairs Officer of the Natural Resources Division at ECLAC, shared innovative findings on the implementation of circular economy principles in treatment plants across Latin America and the Caribbean.
3 December 2024 | Briefing note
The “Methane Calculator” is a dynamic and innovative tool developed by Silvia Saravia Matus, Romeo Moers Escoto, Pedro Chavarro, René Salgado, and Alfredo Montañez, experts from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). This calculator aims to provide a quick and straightforward preliminary assessment of the energy and economic potential of biogas generated in wastewater treatment plants. It focuses on transitioning toward circular models and is designed to demonstrate that even the smallest plants can benefit from this shift, challenging the paradigm that only large-scale facilities have such opportunities.
3 December 2024 | Briefing note
On Wednesday, December 3, 2024, the Fifth Meeting of the Regional Expert Group on Water Resources in Latin America and the Caribbean was held, organized by the Natural Resources Division of ECLAC. This event brought together representatives from leading institutions in the water sector to discuss achievements made throughout the year, plan future activities, and promote regional collaboration in the sustainable management of water resources.
2 de December de 2024 | Insights
Este trabajo analiza el Objetivo de Desarrollo 6 Garantizar la disponibilidad y la gestión sostenible del agua y el saneamiento para todos, focalizándose en la meta 6.1 de aquí al 2030 lograr el acceso universal y equitativo al agua potable a un precio asequible para todos utiliza la fuente de datos pública de Bolivia 2012 en formato Redatam.
2 de December de 2024 | Insights
Este trabajo analiza el Objetivo de Desarrollo 6 Garantizar la disponibilidad y la gestión sostenible del agua y el saneamiento para todos, focalizándose en la meta 6.1 de aquí al 2030 lograr el acceso universal y equitativo al agua potable a un precio asequible para todos utiliza la fuente de datos pública de Guatemala 2018 en formato Redatam.
29 November 2024 | Briefing note
As part of the IX International Meeting on Library and Information Sciences, Dr. Silvia Saravia Matus from ECLAC delivered a keynote speech on the challenges of wastewater management in Latin America and the Caribbean. She emphasized the urgent need to apply circular economy strategies in treatment plants to mitigate environmental impact while generating social and economic benefits. The event was organized by the Environmental Library of Peru’s Ministry of the Environment, co-organized by Fundación CRATE of Chile. Experts from various institutions came together to discuss sustainable solutions to water scarcity and pollution in the region.
29 November 2024 | Briefing note
On November 29, 2024, the Fifth Online Training Session was held as part of the ROSA Project (Network and Observatory for Water Sustainability), titled “Hydrological Monitoring Networks and Ecological Water Flow.” The event aimed to strengthen the capacities of the Plurinational State of Bolivia in the design, implementation, and management of hydrological monitoring networks, while also integrating the topic of ecological water flow. This was achieved through presentations and analysis of concrete experiences and best practices, providing expert insights and experiences from other countries. Lessons and learnings applicable to the Bolivian context were extracted, with special emphasis on the management of transboundary waters. Topics included the standardization of monitoring criteria and indicators, the adoption of agreed-upon protocols, and the importance of ecological flow in water sustainability.
26 November 2024 | Briefing note
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.
22 November 2024 | Briefing note
From November 18 to 22, 2024, Santiago, Chile, hosted the Study Tour on Resilient Water Infrastructure, organized by ECLAC. Delegations from 13 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean participated in this event to learn about Chile’s advancements in developing resilient infrastructure to address challenges such as climate change and the megadrought. Activities included visits to key facilities, technical presentations by experts, and discussions on best practices, highlighting public-private collaboration, circular economy, and sustainable financing as essential pillars.
5 November 2024 | Briefing note
ECLAC took part in the XVI Meeting of National Committees and Focal Points of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (PHI-LAC) in Costa Rica on November 4 and 5. Additionally, it participated in the XXV Conference of Ibero-American Water Directors and Authorities (CODIA), in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, on November 7 and 8, 2024, under the framework of the Technical Dialogue on “Water Use Efficiency and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)”.
28 October 2024 | Briefing note
CEPAL has made publicly available the data used in the preparation of the publication Opportunities for the Circular Economy in Wastewater Treatment in Latin America and the Caribbean.
25 October 2024 | Briefing note
The third training session of the Water Sustainability Network and Observatory (ROSA) project for the Dominican Republic, titled “Water Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean: Challenges and Tools,” brought together experts and officials to analyze critical challenges in water resource management in the region. During the event, topics such as the unequal distribution of water, the impacts of climate change, and the importance of effective water governance for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, were discussed. The training featured notable contributions from representatives of ECLAC and the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI), who provided tools and strategies to enhance water governance.
18 October 2024 | Briefing note
On October 18th of 2024, the Dominican Republic participated in the second online training entitled “International Mechanisms on Water Resources: Results and Progress of the Main Regional and Global Events”, as part of the Network and Observatory for Water Sustainability project (ROSA in Spanish), promoted by ECLAC´s Natural Resources Division. The purpose of this event was to review the context, relevance and results of various international and regional mechanisms in water management, highlighting their value in addressing water challenges in the Dominican Republic.
17 October 2024 | Briefing note
During the X Water Dialogues Latin America and the Caribbean – Spain, held on October 17 and 18, 2024, in Madrid, ECLAC presented progress and studies on the implementation of the circular economy in wastewater treatment. Discussions focused on methane and electricity recovery in treatment plants, addressing the technical and regulatory challenges faced by the region.
10 October 2024 | Briefing note
On October 10, 2024, the fifth session of the ROSA online training series for Panama on energy efficiency in the water and sanitation sector, organized by CEPAL, took place. The two-hour training was presented by expert consultants Diego Fernández, Alfredo Montañez and Pedro Chavarro and led by Silvia Saravia Matus, Economic Affairs Officer at CEPAL. This session focused on practical cases and recommendations for improving energy efficiency in the operation of pumping systems, the use of variable frequency drives (VFD), motor replacement, and the use of capacitors.
9 October 2024 | Briefing note
On October 9th, 2024, the first online training session for the Dominican Republic entitled “Application of circular economy principles in the drinking water and sanitation sector” was held. This event was part of the Water Sustainability Network and Observatory project (ROSA in Spanish), an ECLAC´s initiative designed to strengthen countries' capacities in water management. With the participation of local authorities, students and international experts, the session focused on leveraging circular economy principles to transform the drinking water and sanitation sector.