The seminar on “Water Governance”, organized by the Water and Energy Unit of the Natural Resources Division of ECLAC, presented an in-depth analysis of the current state of water resources in the region, the associated challenges, and proposals to improve water management and governance. The importance of strong governance to ensure equitable and sustainable access to water was highlighted, addressing aspects of public policy, sustainability, and gender equity.

The keynote lecture, led by Silvia Saravia Matus, Economic Affairs Officer in charge of water affairs at ECLAC, began with a detailed overview of water resources in Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizing water’s centrality in various productive sectors and the scarcity the region faces. Despite progress in potable water and sanitation service coverage, significant gaps remained that needed to be addressed to ensure safe and equitable management of these services.

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

Additionally, the Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus approach was introduced, emphasizing its usefulness in developing coherent and sustainable multisectoral actions. Case studies from Bolivia and Ecuador were presented, showcasing the benefits and challenges of implementing water infrastructure projects with this approach. It was discussed that implementing the Nexus approach would enable more coherent, effective, efficient, and sustainable actions, optimizing available resources and ensuring efficient resource governance.

The lecture not only addressed current problems but also offered concrete proposals to improve water management and governance. The need to create strong regulatory frameworks, promote citizen participation, and develop institutional capacities was underscored. The importance of making substantial investments and adopting integrated approaches to ensure sustainable and equitable water management was also emphasized. In this regard, participants were invited to share their views on achieving an efficient water governance system, using interactive tools to foster dialogue and participation.

In conclusion, the exchange highlighted the importance of strong and coordinated governance to overcome water challenges in the region. The implementation of integrated water management, considering gender equity and the interconnection between water, energy, food, and the environment, is essential to promote the sustainable and equitable use of water for the benefit of all. Active participation from various stakeholders and the adoption of inclusive and coordinated policies are essential to address current and future challenges in water resource management. This seminar made it clear that achieving efficient and equitable water governance requires a joint commitment and a multidisciplinary approach involving all relevant sectors and actors.