Peru: ISW drives adoption of OECD Principles on Water Governance

The ISW was present in Peru coordinating the validation of the OECD Principles on Water Governance in the Rimac basin.

Home to over 10 million inhabitants and the Peruvian capital of Lima, the basin is the most heavily populated in the country.

The Rimac river basin covers Lima District, one of the largest urban areas in the Americas.

The Latin American Development Bank (CAF) hosted the meeting, which was attended by the ISW as well as representatives from:

  • the National Water Authority (ANA)
  • SEDAPAL, Lima’s drinking water and sanitation authority
  • The Multisectoral Basin Observatory
  • The Basin Management Committee (CHIRILU Commission) and private sector representatives
  • The Institute for Water Promotion (IPROGA)

Participants were overall quite enthusiastic. In general, public sector representatives stated that the water management situation in the Basin was adequate. The rest of the participants expressed contrary views.

The attendees raised some important issues that need to be addressed in the Rimac basin. These include the absence of multi-sectoral management mechanisms to conserve water, the state of the biophysical dynamic, and the need for ecosystem services management. They also discussed the limitations on citizen participation in decision making, and how increased representation can give decision making bodies more legitimacy.

The ISW-hosted meetings wrapped up on October 16, and the validation was finalized on October 20.

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