CAF recognizes Panama's water potential and warns of variability and reduction as growing challenges

CAF – development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – sponsored the 1st National Congress of Hydrographic Basins in Panama, where it recognized the privileged Panamanian water potential worldwide and warned that, in the context of climate change, it is crucial to anticipate that variability Climate change and the reduction in water availability will become growing challenges, which is why, to face this new reality, it is essential to have: integrated decision-making systems, regulations that promote agile and participatory management, and planning. effective.

CAF promotes water resources management that integrates both technical and human aspects. This position was highlighted by Fernando Loria, main executive of the Urban Infrastructure, Water and Sanitation Projects Directorate, who noted: "Historically, water management has been seen as a predominantly technocratic process. However, it is essential to recognize its dimension "The active inclusion of the community in these processes is not only crucial for effective management, but also essential to face extreme situations. It is necessary to move towards water governance that is both effective and inclusive, ensuring a sustainable future for all." .

Loria highlighted the notable hydrological wealth of Panama, mentioning that the country receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 3,000 liters per square meter and has more than 500 rivers that supply 52 hydrographic basins. This translates into a volume of available water of 119 billion cubic meters. "Although this volume represents only 0.6% of global water resources, it is significant considering the size of Panama," said Loria, who also highlighted that the country is the second with the least water stress worldwide, after Iceland.

The specialist outlined the challenges facing Panama, which are related to the management of water resources, attributable to several critical factors: Variability in water distribution and availability that is not uniform; urban growth and lack of infrastructure, where the rapid and disorganized growth of cities has often exceeded the capacity of essential infrastructure; impact of Climate Change, which includes floods and droughts that increase pressure on available water resources.

The CAF expert's statements were given in the middle of the panel called: “Current trends in the development of water resource policy and management instruments. Strategies and programs for the conservation and sustainable management of watersheds”, where he shared experience with the speakers: Miguel Solanes from Argentina; Joana Ábrego, Legal Manager of the Environmental Advocacy Center (CIAM) and Francheska Campos of the Legal Advisory Office of the Ministry of the Environment (MiAmbiente), who presented the Panamanian legal framework, recalling the zoning of the 5 water regions of the country: Central Pacific , Western Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean.

Solanes pointed out that water is an essential component of the economy; allows production, and therefore, satisfies human needs and rights. He explained that, in the case of Panama, it is an essential resource for the Canal, hydroenergy, tourism, agriculture; and indicated that “more intense development of the administration areas” of water resources is needed.

For her part, the CIAM representative mentioned other challenges facing the management of water basins in Panama: Inclusion of all authorities with environmental competence; prioritization in ordering processes and prior consultations; accessibility of information; inadequate means of dissemination and lack of inclusion of vulnerable groups; lack of participation and trust; restricted times and inadequate consideration of contributions.

The 1st National Congress of Hydrographic Basins in Panama was organized by MiAmbiente, the Panama Canal, the United Nations Panama, the City of Knowledge Foundation and the International Center for Sustainable Development (CIDES).