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Water Cooperation: National Committees and Focal Points of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme
In a context when serious challenges and extreme phenomena, such as droughts, hurricanes, floods, and tropical storms, highlight the need to intensify actions towards water security, the XVI Meeting of National Committees and Focal Points of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) was held in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, 4-5 November, 2024.
The event was a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperation and water security in the region, bringing together representatives from 26 Member States, members of the IHP Water Family, IHP-LAC Working Groups, as well as experts from the academic sector and strategic partners.
Participants had the opportunity to learn about the activities carried out by the programme over the past two years, sharing successful experiences and reflections on common challenges in water management. Those exchanges enriched the dialogue and mutual learning among countries and working groups, while also strengthening cooperation on key issues such as glacier conservation, transboundary watershed management, and the inclusion of gender-sensitive approaches. The meeting was also an opportunity to advance the planning of activities for the upcoming biennium.
Participants demonstrated their commitment and determination to continue working on integrated scientific, educational, and management initiatives that strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change and improve water security in the region.
In particular, it was highlithed the importance of involving communities, especially indigenous people and youth, in approaches to water resource management.
One of the priority topics for 2025 will be the celebration of the International Year for Glacier Preservation, an initiative adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2022.
Additionally, 21st March was established as International Glacier Day. This event is part of the Cryosphere Science Action Decade (2025-2034), with the first international summit dedicated to the poles and glaciers held in November 2023.
Country representatives emphasized the importance of the regional working and exchange sessions during the meeting of the IHP-LAC National Committees and Focal Points, where synergies were promoted among various stakeholders in the water sector, and key resolutions were defined, including the establishment of regional cooperation platforms, promotion of interdisciplinary research, and the implementation of hydrometeorological early warning systems to strengthen responses to extreme events such as floods and droughts.
The meeting also highlighted the fundamental role of the IHP-LAC Working Groups. These groups are actively working to generate scientific knowledge and offer practical solutions to regional challenges.
Additionally, the meeting was an opportunity to promote the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of IHP in 2025, for which it was agreed to establish a working group to coordinate activities and events related to this important celebration.
In this context, all Member States and the UNESCO Water Family were called to actively support the commemoration.
The meeting concluded with a message of gratitude towards the authorities of Costa Rica, particularly the Water Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, for the valuable support and hospitality.
Emphasis was made on the regional commitment to strengthening intergovernmental cooperation and implementing science-based public policies for water management.
Following the closing session of the meeting, it took place a session for the dissemination of the 2024 Latin American Short Film Award on Water and Science, organized by Let's Talk about Water with the support of IHP. The session presented a collection of short films developed by scientists, students, and filmmakers from Latin America. The screening was positively recognized by participants, who expressed that: “… it was an opportunity to connect the stories reflected in the films with the work they develop aimed at water management in the LAC region…”
On 6th November, it was held the High-Level Seminar on: “Early Warning for All: A Cross-Sectoral Approach to Water, Weather, and Climate,” organized in collaboration with the Conference of Ibero-American Water Authorities and Directorates (CODIA) and the Ibero-American Conference of Hydrological and Meteorological Services (CIMHET).
The event brought together authorities and experts from Ibero-America to address the importance of strengthening hydrometeorological monitoring systems, improving predictions of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, and promoting regional cooperation in water resource management.
During the seminar, Carlos Isaac Pérez Mejía, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) of Costa Rica, highlighted: “the need to improve data generation and investments in resilient infrastructure to face the impacts of climate change.”
The importance of creating inclusive early warning systems and fostering collaboration between the hydrology and meteorology sectors was also emphasized. The seminar was held in preparation for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), where Costa Rica will lead the adaptation group alongside Ireland.
On 7-8 November, the XXV Conference of Ibero-American Water Authorities and Directorates (CODIA) was held aimed at continuing the workplan and discussions on cooperation in water management in the region.
Abou Amani, Director of Water Sciences and Secretary of UNESCO IHP, made distinguished contributions both at the opening and closing of the event. He highlighted the remarkable exchanges during the meeting and emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen collaborative efforts between UNESCO and CODIA for water security
One of the key sessions was on water quality in Ibero-America, where an analysis of Goal 6.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was presented, which highlights the need for a Common Ibero-American Framework for water quality.
Participants discussed its scope, form, and the workplan required to carry it out, concluding with the agreement to include this initiative in the 2025 Work Programme.
In another session dedicated to water use efficiency and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), progress in analyzing SDG Goal 6.4 was reviewed. The urgent need to improve data on water use efficiency and water stress was discussed, with proposals to strengthen monitoring networks and adopt methodologies that allow measuring the impact of interventions.
The recommendations also included the importance of better governance and financing to ensure the success of these initiatives.
Finally, CODIA members recognized the importance of their participation in the Ibero-American Environmental Agenda and agreed to discuss future initiatives to strengthen this agenda.
