Integrated Water Resources Management
The countries of
the hemisphere share over 70 major transboundary river basins. In this context,
the DSD primary objectives are to
support Member States in their efforts to improve the management,
conservation, and sustainable use of water resources by promoting social and
economic growth. Specific actions involve the promotion of water governance,
assistance in the development of policies, laws and regulations for
integrated water resource management, capacity building in regional,
national and local institutions, and promotion of the exchange of
information through the IWRN (Inter-American Water Resources Network).
Furthermore, in partnership with
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank, and the
Global Environment Facility, DSD acts as a regional executing agency for
various water resource management projects being conducted in trans
boundary, multi-country river basins of Central and South America.
Ongoing
Projects and Initiatives
Brochures (PDF format):
Amazon |
Bermejo
|
Deltamerica
|
Guarani |
La Plata
|
Pantanal
|
San Juan
|
São Francisco
|
Strategic Action Programme for
the Binational Basin of the Bermejo River
The project's third phase is being developed to assist the Governments of
Argentina and Bolivia in the execution of the SAP. The primary objective of
the SAP is to promote environmentally sustainable development within the
basin, taking into consideration the program of investments being prepared
by the Binational Commission for the Development of the Upper Bermejo and
Grande de Tarija Rivers Basins. This is seen as the only solution for
reversing the environmental degradation occurring to the land and water
resources of the binational basin.
The Formulation of a Strategic
Action Program for the Integrated Management of Water Resources and the
Sustainable Development of the San Juan River Basin and Its Coastal Zone
The project is being developed to assist the Government of Costa Rica and
Nicaragua in the conservation of natural ecosystems and social and economic
development, and will address transboundary issues in the region through the
promotion of the integrated management of freshwater basin and coastal
resources.
The Integrated Management of Land-based Activities
in the São Francisco River Basin Project
The project is being developed to assist the Government of Brazil in the
promotion of sustainable development in the SFRB and its coastal zones. The
project aims to formulate, with the active participation of key
stakeholders, a strategic integrated and sustainable management program to
address the physical, biological, chemical and institutional root causes of
the progressive degradation which is affecting the basin. The project will
focus on economic instruments and implementation activities with incremental
costs to restore and sustain the coastal zone through improved river basin
management.
The Integrated Watershed Management
Practices for the Pantanal and Upper Paraguay River Basin Project
The project is being developed to assist the Government of Brazil in the
implementation of a comprehensive and detailed watershed management program
for the Pantanal and Upper Paraguay River Basin. The project activities seek
to enhance and restore the environmental functioning of the system, provide
protection to endemic species within the wetland and implement strategic
activities to address the root causes of degradation.
Strengthening of the Water Sector in Brazil project
The project's primary objective is to strengthen the iniatives of the
Secretaria de Recursos Hidricos (SRH) of Brazil in the formulation and
implementation of national policy for the water sector. The project achieved
the following outputs: 1) a national policy for the water sector, 2)
effective coordination of the National Water Resources Service, 3) a
catalogue of rivers, lakes, and dams throughout the country according to
their use , and 4) the use of economic tools in water action.
Project for the Environmental
Protection and Sustainable Development of the Guarani Aquifer System
The project is under preparation to support the Governments of Argentina,
Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay in the sustainable integrated management and
use of the Guarani Aquifer System (GUARAS). An initial short term objective
is to support the four countries in jointly elaborating and implementing a
common institutional and technical framework for managing and preserving the
GUARAS for current and future generations.
Guarani
Aquifer System Project Reports
The Water Level Observation Network
for Central America (RONMAC)
RONMAC has been designed by the U.S. Government, the Organization of
American States (OAS), the Regional Committee for Water Resources (CRRH),
and the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua in
direct response to the impact of Hurricane Mitch. Its objective is to
provide support for the development and improvement of the geodetic
framework of Central America, with direct benefits to coastal resources
management, coastal hazard mitigation and emergency planning, design and
development of coastal infrastructure and harbor facilities, and coastal
navigation.
UNESCO/OAS ISARM Americas
Programme - Transboundary Aquifers of the Americas
The UNESCO/OAS ISARM-Americas Programme (the
regional initiative for the American hemisphere of ISARM - Internationally
Shared Aquifer Resources Management Programme) is jointly coordinated by the
UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and the Department of
Sustainable Development – previously known as Office for Sustainable
Development and Environment - of the Organization of American States (DSD/OAS).
(IAH-ALHSUD Congress in 2002 at Mar del Plata, Argentina).
More...
A Framework for the Sustainable Management
of the Water Resources of the la Plata Basin, with Respect to the
Hydrological Effects of Climatic Variability and Change
Inter-American Water Resources Network
(IWRN)
Our Department jointly with UNESCO and CES serves as the Technical Secretariat of the IWRN. The mission of
this Network is to build and strengthen water resources partnerships between
nations, organizations, and individuals that transcend disciplines,
political boundaries, and language barriers; promote education and the open
exchange of information and technical expertise; and enhance communication,
cooperation, collaboration, and financial commitment to the implementation
of integrated water and land resources management within the context of
environmental and economic sustainability in the Americas.
1
Guidelines of the
Network
| Focal points
| Summary of election process
A multi-year
project involving the
GEF,
UNEP,
ACTO and the
OAS aimed at helping the
eight countries of the Amazon Basin
and its 10 million
inhabitants conserve and better manage the region’s
waters, forests and wildlife, was formally launched in
June 2005. A key component of the project is to help
countries and communities adapt and cope with acute
climatic change.”
Project
Document
| Annexes
| Press
Release (Spanish)
Caribbean
Division
Integrated Water Resource Management and Management of the Coastal and
Marine and Resources of the Caribbean Sea
Water
Resource Management
Legislation Database
The
OAS completes the first part of a comprehensive,
on-line data-base and information portal comprised
of national water regulations, laws, standards and
norms.
The data-base will be complemented by related legal
and other provisions, including information
regarding public participation provisions relating
to the management of water
Events and News
First Meeting
of National Focal Points on Integrated Water Resource Management.
More...
ACTO Newsletters: ACTO
launches project to promote sustainable tourism in the Amazon.
Environmental Trends
and Challenges
More...
IV World
Water Forum: From March 16-22,
2006, approximately 100 ministers from around the world will be joined by
some 15,000 people in Mexico City, for the Fourth World Water Forum. This
is the first time that Forum has taken place in the Latin America and
Caribbean region.
More...
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