The 1st Latin American Water Forum took place in the city of Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil, from 20 to 22 November 2023. This important international event aimed to strengthen dialogue and integration of decision-making processes on water and sanitation within Latin American countries, in the political, technical, social and institutional contexts, as well as to enable the establishment of networks, interactions and agendas for water resources that contribute to sustainable development in Latin America.
The event was organised by the Brazilian Network of River Basin Organizations (REBOB), together with the Brazilian Association of Water Resources (ABRHidro), the Brazilian Association of Groundwater (ABAS) and the Brazilian Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (ABES), with the support of the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA) as well as UNESCO, and brought together discussions on the themes of climate, environment, innovation, development, financing and cooperation.
The Forum was attended by more than 400 participants from 18 countries and closed its agenda with the founding of the Latin American Water Council with the support of 112 public, private and civil society institutions. The agenda of the Latin American Water Council foresees its installation during the 10th World Water Forum to be held in Bali, Indonesia, in May 2024.
The international water community must listen more to the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean. Because it has a rich and successful experience to share, and faces challenges common to many other regions of the world.
Eric TARDIEU – INBO Secretary General
Lupercio ZIROLDO ANTONIO,
President of the REBOB