ECLAC promotes the consolidation of the regional expert group on water resources in Latin America and the Caribbean

On March 16, the Water and Energy Unit of the Natural Resources Division of ECLAC organized the consolidation meeting of the regional expert group on water resources in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This group comprises more than twenty members representing the most prestigious institutions that work on water issues in the region (see information on members and institutions in the attached PDF).

The Director of the Natural Resources Division, Ms Jeannette Sánchez, opened the meeting by highlighting the importance of roundtables of conversation, especially in the context of the water challenges facing the LAC region, in such a way that the current work carried out by the members of the expert group can be complemented and strengthen the institutional capital.

The regional group of experts in LAC is formed under the auspices of UN-Water, which promotes the consolidation of regional discussion groups in the five Regional Commissions of the United Nations. The objective of these groups is to strengthen and accelerate, through joint work, the implementation of SDG 6. In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, the mandate of the regional expert group consists of joining efforts to promote compliance with SDG 6, along with exchanging relevant information, including seminars, training, publications and studies in progress; and exploring opportunities for collaboration to support the countries of the region. All of the above occurs within the framework of the ongoing preparations for the United Nations Water Conference in March 2023.

The agreements reached by the regional group of experts at its first consolidation meeting are listed below:

1. The regional expert group was successfully formed as a platform for exchange involving 20 prestigious institutions that work on water issues in the region. Up to two members may be included per institution.
2. It was agreed to prepare a joint calendar with the relevant events linked to the 2023 United Nations Water Conference, which will be published on the ECLAC website.
3. The regional expert group will meet at least twice a year.
4. The group will be officially presented at the next regional meeting on Water organized by ECLAC, "Regional Water Dialogue 2022", which will take place on April 28. Furthermore, the experts will intervene in the reflection and conversation space of the event called "Rain of Solutions", where they will resolve questions of hydrological concern for the region. To attend this event, you can register here.