THE INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (IDB) IS COORDINATING THE LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN SESSIONS DURING WORLD WATER WEEK IN SWEDEN’S CAPITAL, WITH A FOCUS ON THE NEED TO ADOPT NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE CURRENT AND FUTURE DEMAND FOR WATER RESOURCES IN THE REGION.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Latin America and the Caribbean needs to progress towards a wiser combination of green and traditional infrastructure to satisfy the water needs of the 21st century.

That is the main message of the Latin America and the Caribbean Focus at the Stockholm International Water Institute’s World Water Week (Eye on LAC) to be held in Stockholm on August 26 to 31st. The meeting, to be attended by government and civil society representatives as well as private sector companies and academics from around the world under the motto “Water, ecosystems and human development” will focus on the need to invest in nature-based solutions to address the threats associated with climate change, increased water variability and stressed ecosystems.

The discussions will highlight the need for new approaches to development and planning so that we can build more resilient and resourceful societies. Green infrastructure is an approach to the management of water resources that protects, restores and imitates the natural water cycle.

Eye on Latin America and the Caribbean will hold four theme sessions on the following topics:

Mainstreaming natural infrastructure in water projects
Green-gray infrastructure: the case for investment
Natural infrastructure and the water-food-energy nexus
Water reserves: an ecological water management model
There will be also a session on Water Funds, a nature-based solutions to achieve water security in Latin America and the Caribbean, as part of the SIWI Sofa series. This discussion will be broadcast via Livestream.

About the Latin America and the Caribbean Focus at the World Water Week

World Water Week 2018 is coordinated by the Stockholm International Water Institute. The Latin America and the Caribbean Focus is coordinated by the IDB’s Water and Sanitation Division with support of Fundación FEMSA, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Latin American Water Funds Partnership , Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), World Wildlife Fund, The Water Center, the National Commission on Water of Mexico (Conagua), RTI International and World Resources Institute. The IDB and its partners have coordinated the Eye on LAC sessions since 2015.

About the Inter-American Development Bank

The Inter-American Development Bank is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Besides loans, grants and guarantees, the IDB conducts cutting-edge research to offer innovative and sustainable solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges. Founded in 1959 to help accelerate progress in its developing member countries, the IDB continues to work every day to improve lives.

IMAGE: Jamaica

SOURCE: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/green-infrastructure-latin-america-and-caribbean-rich-water-yet-thirsty