The region of Latin America represents one of the most significant sources of renewable water in the world, accounting for some 30% of the global total. The spatial distribution of water resources, however, varies considerably across the continent. This may be illustrated, for example, by the fact that the basins of the Gulf of Mexico, the South Atlantic and the River Plate cover some 25% of Latin America’s territory and are home to more than 40% of the population, but contain just 10% of water resources (World Water Council - 2000).
Another equally significant aspect to be taken into consideration is the fact that this region has the second-highest number of cross-border basins in the world: 69 out of a total of 279 (25%). The overall figures for the sector reveal that practically 20% of Latin America’s population (115 million people) live and depend on water simultaneously managed by different countries in the region.
Given that water is the most valuable and essential resource for global social and human development (influencing such vital sectors as health, food security, hydropower, industry and agriculture, the sustainability of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and of hydrobiological resources), it is easy to see why the considerable disparity in regional distribution, the need for cross-border management and the variability brought about by Climate Change mean that for Latin America water is one of the key strategic and political elements for stability and sound governance in the region.
In response to these and other needs, the European Union Water Initiative (EUWI) was proposed by the European Union at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002. It was born out of the need for balanced development of the water sector and for stronger governance in the member states of the European Union. Its key aim is to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The role of the EUWI is thus to serve as an instrument for political dialogue supported by the Member States and the European Commission, with its
operational structure promoting integrated and multidisciplinary water resource management.
The European Commission, through its Directorate General for Development and Cooperation - EuropeAid (DG DEVCO) and its Directorate General Joint Research Centre (JRC), in close partnership with the governments of Latin American countries, is to this end implementing the RALCEA (Latin American Network of Knowledge Centres in the Water Sector) and EUROCLIMA-Water programmes with national and regional institutions.
The common aim of the two programmes is to strengthen bi-regional collaboration and promote the development of capabilities and scientific and technical cooperation at research institutions in the water sector (EUROCLIMA-Water) so as to improve the efficiency of support for national and regional decision-makers (RALCEA). As a result, within the context of these programmes three priority thematic areas of study have been identified: The mapping of actors involved in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), the Regional Water Balance, and Water Quality and Sanitation.
As a supplementary contribution, the European Commission also provides participants with an open access Internet tool (AquaKnow) which allows for the straightforward sharing of research results through publications and lessons learnt from experience, in order to facilitate dialogue among experts in the sector. This newsletter dedicated to “Water and Climate Change” will address a number of the actions being implemented by the European Commission in order to underpin the capabilities of regional and local actors in water management and sustainable development.
Dr. César Carmona-Moreno
European Commission’s Joint Research Centre - JRC