k for Cooperation in Integrated Resource Management for Sustainable

Transcription

1 INT UN MA 4.5 k for Cooperation in Integrated Resource Management for Sustainable ^atin America Caribbean * * Network for Cooperation in Integrated Water i ^ Resource Managem..., N 1 June 1995 i^tin America Caribbean (ECLAC) Ns 1 June 1995 CIRCULAR N2 1 Santiago de Chile The Network for Cooperation in Integrated Water Resource Management for Sustainable Development in Latin America Caribbean was set up four years ago, until now it has lacked a convenient mechanism for its members to exchange information. The purpose of circular is to fill that gap to bring image of Network into sharper focus. It is hoped that circular will serve not only as a vehicle for disseminating information on activities conducted by ECLAC, but even more importantly as a forum in which participating organizations can share information ideas on integrated management of water resources. Member organizations are invited to submit material on activities, both executed planned, programmes of work, publications, projects any issues of concern to organizations individuals involved in integrated management of water resources. We look forward to hearing your reactions to this proposal. water resource management in all its aspects (institutional, administrative, economic financial, legal technological) capacity to hle projects services associated with multiple-use management through an interchange of know-how direct cooperation between members of Network. The founding organizations are: Centre for Water Resource Environmental Economics, Legislation Management (Centro de Economía, Legislación y Administración del Agua y del Ambiente - CELAA), Mendoza, Argentina; Inter-American Centre for Environmental Territorial Research D e v e l o p m e n t (Centro Interamericano de Desarrollo e Investigación Ambiental y Territorial - CIDIAT); Graduate School of Business Administration (Escuela de Administración de Negocios para Graduados - ESAN), Lima, Peru; Brazilian School of Public Education (Escola Brasileira dé Administração Pública - EB AP), Getulio Vargas Foundation (Fundação Getulio Vargas), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Central American Institute of Public Education (Instituto Centroamericano de Administración Pública - ICAP), San José, Costa Rica. What is Network? The Network has been established with help of ECLAC Environment Natural Resources Division, which is collaborating with member organizations by providing technical logistical support. The Network is a technical mechanism composed of organizations enterprises, wher public, private or autonomous, involved in water resource management in ECLAC member countries. Its purpose is to improve existing capacity for multiple-use Since by definition Network should be a flexible vehicle for exchange of information, it seemed that it would be highly useful for members of Network to be interconnected via electronic mail (our INTERNET address is Tlee@eclac.cl). Please send us your electronic mail number so that you can be contacted. What are Network's objectives The general objective of Network is to promote technical cooperation between organizations in Latin America Caribbean in integrated management of water resources. This objective is in keeping with recommendations of Mar del Plata Action Plan adopted by United Nations Water Conference held at Mar del Plata, Argentina, in CONTENTS '^ y» Éditorial remarks Information on thé Network - What fe Network? - v What are its objectives? - Who can be a member of ' Network? Open discussion - Meetings. - Meeting on effects Of climate change - Meeting on implications of Note: This is an abridged version of Circular N B 1 which was originally published in Spanish in July 1994: The specific objective of Network is to promote efficient effective systems of management in member countries for regulating hling water resources for multiple uses, reby ensuring ir rational use, conservation, reclamation protection, harmonizing needs of man, economic development environment. To achieve this objective Network promotes:

2 Training for those involved in multiple-use management of water resources. Exchange of information on subject, with special references to multiple-use water management water conservation. Shared research, both oretical applied, on water resource management through multiple-use water systems agreements between organizations for that purpose. Advisory services, through an exchange of experts, to institutions individuals who are members of network request assistance. An exchange of written material among members of Network preparation of material specifically for dissemination through Network. The specific proposal for Network is laid out in detail in preliminary draft of rules of procedure, which can be requested from ECLAC Environment Natural Resources Division. Who can be a member of Network? The Network is made up of academic research institutions, government agencies public, private or mixed enterprises involved in water resource regulation or management or in education, training research related to water resource management in ECLAC member countries. The admission of new members should be proposed by Regional Coordinator approved by annual membership meeting. Open ^«cussio* The general objective of Network is to promote technical cooperation between organizations in Latin America Caribbean in integrated management of water resources. This objective is in keeping with recommendations on integrated water resource m a n a g e m e n t development contained in, which came out of United Nations Conference on Environment Development, chapter 18 of states that extent to which water resource development contributes to economic productivity social well-being is not usually appreciated, although all social economic activities rely heavily on supply quality of freshwater. As populations economic activities grow, many countries are rapidly reaching conditions of water scarcity or facing limits to economic development. The holistic management of freshwater as a finite vulnerable resource integration of sectoral water plans programmes within framework of national economic social policy are of paramount importance for action in 1990s beyond. Integrated water resource management is based on perception of water as an integral part of ecosystem, a natural resource a social economic good, whose quantity quality determine nature of its utilization. To this end, water resources need to be protected, taking into account functioning of aquatic ecosystems perennially of resource, in order to satisfy reconcile needs for water in human activities. In developing using water resources, priority has to be given to satisfaction of basic needs safeguarding of ecosystems. Beyond se requirements, however, water users should be charged appropriately. Integrated water resource management, including integration of l- water-related aspects, should be carried out at level of catchment basin or sub-basin. Four principal objectives should be pursued, as follows: To promote a dynamic, interactive, iterative multisectoral approach to water resource management, including identification protection of potential sources of freshwater supply, that integrates technological, socio-economic, environmental human health considerations; To plan for sustainable rational utilization, protection, conservation management of water resources based on community needs priorities within framework of national economic development policy, To design, implement evaluate projects programmes that are both economically efficient socially appropriate within clearly defined strategies, based on an approach of full public participation, including that of women, youth, indigenous peoples local c o m m u n i t i e s in water management policy-making decision-making; To identity strengn or develop, as required, in particular in developing countries, appropriate institutional, legal financial mechanisms to ensure that water policy its implementation are a catalyst for sustainable social progress economic growth. ^ l e e t i i t g s r Meeting on effects of climate change As part of follow-up activities on recommendations contained in Dublin Statement Report of International Conference on Water Environment: Development Issues for 21st Centuiy in, which came out of United Nations Conference on Environment Development, a meeting of Expert Group responsible for studying possible effects of climate change on water resources of Latin America Caribbean was held in Santiago, Chile, from 23 to 25 November At meeting, it was emphasized that potential climate change could affect every aspect of water use constitutes one of most difficult challenges facing users of water resources in region. As a result of climate change, many countries could experience serious changes in water availability quality. The incidence of wear extremes, such as floods droughts, could increase, resulting in greater frequency intensity of natural disasters. The most important impact of climate change would be its effects on hydrologie cycle water management systems, through se, on socio-economic systems. It was thought that countries of Latin America Caribbean might be relatively more vulnerable to global climate change, because a greater percentage of ir economic output depended on activities that were climate-sensitive water-related. Moreover, lower level of technical

3 sophistication of many economic social activities in countries of region made m relatively more vulnerable to climate change compared with more developed countries, where such activities were insulated" to a greater degree from climate change. One could expect impact of climate change to be greatest in areas of water scarcity, heavy pollution or hazardous wear extremes. The point was made that countries of region had a very limited capacity to control regulate ir water resources in comparison with some or regions of world. It was observed that many important decisions related to water resources were based on assumption that past climate data could serve as a reliable guide for future. If re were strong grounds for believing that climate would change during life of hydraulic structures, future engineering design procedures would have to accommodate expected change in climatic hydrometeorological conditions over life of project. There were four items on agenda for discussion: effects of possible climate changes on management of water resources in Latin America Caribbean, national policy alternatives, recommendations for regional action programmes or matters. At meeting, a report was presented on "Climate change water management in Latin America Caribbean". The report analyses most important potential repercussions of global climate change on water use in region. On basis of presentations discussions on nature of potential climate change its effect on Latin America Caribbean, experts formulated a series of recommendations for countries of region for action that could be taken on national level. Chief among m were following: To systematically develop apply sustainable national policies for responding to effects of climate change; To improve coordination of economic social activities, since management of water resources to meet challenge of climate change depends largely on structure of State; To promote activities to educate general public in correct use of water its economic importance, disseminate information encourage public participation; To provide financial support to all systems for monitoring diagnosing elements of hydrologie climate cycles ir impact on various cultural systems; To foster research programmes directed at an improved understing of relationship between climate change intensity of droughts, floods or extreme phenomena; To develop, adopt apply comparable techniques methods for joint evaluation of possible effects of climate change on water resources of region; To promote development of methodologies for evaluating social, e c o n o m i c environmental consequences of climate change preventing potential social conflicts by insuring participation of various sectors of society. With respect to regional action programmes, experts concluded that given physiographical characteristics of Latin America Caribbean, cooperation among countries of region was essential, following being priority areas: To prepare a common policy position for on-going negotiations in United Nations context; To generate uniform highly reliable representative hydrometeorological, social economic information for evaluating impact of climate change on region; To develop programmes of cooperation on regional international research projects on climate change, in order to monitor its occurrence, its impact on hydrological system its consequences for economies of Latin America Caribbean; To extend scope of research to great river basins in order to avoid present problems of lack of coordination; To strengn international centres engaged in research on climate change social economic studies; To assure coordination among international organizations concerned with issue of climate change in region. It was recommended that ECLAC should assume leadership in meeting challenges that climate change posed for region. ECLAC presented a proposal for a project to study effects of climate change in Latin America Caribbean. A summary of discussions, or information on meeting a complete listing of recommendations made can be found in "Report on meeting of Expert Group responsible for studying possible effects of climate change on water resources of Latin America Caribbean (Santiago, Chile, November 1993)". Meeting on Effects of As part of follow-up activities on recommendations contained in Dublin Statement in from United Nations Conference on Environment Development, a meeting of Group of Experts on effects of on integrated water resource management in Latin America Caribbean was held in Santiago, Chile, from 16 to 18 March The participants were experts from Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru Venezuela. Representatives of international bilateral organizations also attended. The meeting stressed importance of water resource management for Latin America Caribbean role it should play in region's economic social development. It was acknowledged that actions of Governments in pursuance of goals set in chapter 18 of must take into account conditions existing in different countries, which varied considerably. It was pointed out that recommendations of coincided to a large extent with objectives conceived by ECLAC as part of plan for changing production patterns while achieving social equity sustainable development. Despite differences, re were some common trends: The decentralization taking place in all countries studied; A definite trend towards self-financing of water-related services; A desire to establish a global set of rules for integral sustainable management of water resources; A growing awareness of environmental problems, which are becoming increasingly critical; A clear tendency to have marketable water services help finance externalities associated with provision of such services; The newly emerging notion of payment for activities that cause pollution as a new source of financing for water management;

4 The increasing perception that water resource management at river basin level might be best approach. Discussion centred around two topics: first, situation in countries of region with regard to challenges posed by in relation to water resource management second, support programmes for government measures adopted at regional level. A report entitled " integrated water resource management in Latin America Caribbean" was presented at meeting. The report makes some observations on degree of adhesion or follow-up of Governments of Latin America Caribbean with respect to agreements in chapter 18 of. It presents situation as it now sts describes new management approaches being taken in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico Venezuela. As a result of ir deliberations, experts made following recommendations: General recommendations on : The Governments of Latin America Caribbean international cooperaiion financing organizations should be informed that this meeting of experts considers chapter 18 of an instrument of primary importance for planning future activities in water management. However, importance of water resources ir interrelation with environment require that issue should be viewed in light of or chapters of, Dublin Statement recommendations of International Conference on Water Environment: Development Issues for 21st Century, held in Dublin, Irel, from 26 to 31 January Recommendations to Governments: General recommendations: It should be remembered that inevitably supply of water per inhabitant will decline, so that water resources by ir very nature will continue to give rise to conflicts arising from water management system. The role of State role of individuals in regard to water management should be defined as clearly as possible. Agreements should be promoted within private sector between private sector relevant political bodies, since this is most appropriate means of regulating relations that affect water resources environment.» Water management should be financed with funds derived from use of water in any form. This should be done without prejudice to charges already established on or uses of water. Administrators legislators should bear in mind that general stards protecting individual rights must be stable. Recourse to lhe courts should be available not only for actual damages, but also in situations of potential harm. Account should be taken of internal decentralization policy adopted in each State, which in some cases will allow for direct arrangements with international organizations offering technical financial assistance. The political bodies responsible for drawing up agreements treaties should be urged to allow local authorities whose authority or jurisdiction will be affected to participate before or during negotiating phase. Recommendations on basic services: Self-financing mechanisms should be created for drinking water sanitation projects. New or exped water supply projects should include, as essential components, adequate water ireatment elimination of polluting effluents. organizations, Governments should develop lines of financing designed to meet drinking water sanitation needs of region. Priority should be given to measures designed to do eliminate practice of irrigating vegetables with sewage-contaminated effluents, through source substitution, water treatment, crop restrictions or or means. Recoirunendations on integrated river basin management : Governments should promote management at level of each river basin as key to water administration, encouraging development of integrated management of basins, which may be shared by countries of region through horizontal cooperation programmes. Water development activities should be permanent, not temporary. organizations, Governments should give priority to integrated water management projects. Recommendations on training infonnation: There should be on-going training education on water resources environment stability in employment of trained professionals technicians. organizations, Governments should promote training activities in integrated management of water resources should also train human resources in management of multisectoral water projects. The integration of information systems on water resources should be encouraged, special consideration should be given to adoption of information system development by WHO. Recoirunendations on environment: «The appropriate government authorities should be urged to give water environmental legislation necessary publicity, so that people are generally aware of it. Governments should recognize importance of including in planning of water projects methods for evaluating ir potential environmental impact should make provisions for environmental monitoring to ensure that palliative measures that have been planned are carried out. Recommendations to international organizations: They should coordinate ir activities in area of water resources environment. They should place more emphasis on transfer of clean technologies should provide financial support for execution of plans prepared by national specialists in subject. They should bear in mind special characteristics of each State - federal or centralized - when directly negotiating financial assistance arrangements. In cooperation with Governments UNESCO, y should work to

5