• ANA, ADASA, IWA joined efforts on the Portuguese edition of the Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities

Maceio, Brazil, 15 August 2019. The Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities (EN, PT) outlines the rationale for urban stakeholders to lead the way in realizing their role as water stewards in their basins, and the different pathways and activities towards achieving integrated water resources management. Therefore, the IWA Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities is now available in Portuguese.

The National Water Agency of Brazil (ANA), the water regulator from Brasilia (ADASA), and the International Water Association (IWA) and the IWA Young Water Professionals have launched jointly the Portuguese edition of the Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities at the XI Brazilian Regulator Congress and 5^th ExpoABAR. The launch was presided by ADASA’s president Paulo Sérgio Bretas de Almeida Salles.

“The ABAR Congress is the ideal platform for the launch of the Portuguese edition of the Action Agenda for Basin-Connected cities”, stated Carolina Latorre, IWA Senior Officer and Water Policy and Regulation Lead. ”Here, we have the opportunity to present this important governance action plan for city stakeholders to the diverse lusophone audience such as regulatory agencies, utilities, civil society representatives, academia from the field of law, economics, accounting, and engineering.”

The ABAR Congress aims to provide a more in-depth discussion on regulation and issues essential to live in cities such as basic sanitation, mobility, innovation, energy as well good governance.

“For ANA, the Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities is a great opportunity for a partnership with IWA, that brings knowledge and best practices to ensure water security for the water sector, strengthening our institutional mission,” said Sérgio Ayrimoraes, Superintendent of ANA.

The structure of the Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities reflects the current and potential issues between cities and their basins and how to deal with them by identifying the drivers for action, and the possible solution pathways. It builds a framework of best practice to ensure that the foundations to implement those solutions are in place.

The Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities is intended as a starting point for urban stakeholders to identify the actions that need to be taken to address the risks, how to ensure sustainable management of basins in the future and how to more actively participate in water governance.

Gustavo Carneiro, Superintendent of Water Resources at ADASA stated, that “[our organisation] greatly values the effort made by the IWA to launch the Portuguese edition of the Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities. The scope and the good practices of the Agenda are well aligned with ADASA’s mission, in its path for implementing an integrated water resources management framework in Brazil’s Centre-West region, with the participation of the key basin stakeholders.”

Vanessa Fernanda Schmitt, an active member of the IWA Young Water Professionals and Advisor to the Board of Directors at ADASA, stated “that young water professionals are the future of the water sector. Therefore, the opportunity to participate in activities that discuss best practices for water quality and quantity definitely will help to empower our new generation of water advocates. The connection with senior professionals will build up our careers and motivate us to drive change.”

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Contact:

Katharine Cross, Strategic Programmes Manager (katharine.cross@iwahq.org)

Carolina Latorre, IWA Senior Officer; Water Policy and Regulation Lead (carolina.latorre@iwahq.org)

Ulrike Kelm, IWA Communications Manager (ulrike.kelm@iwahq.org)

From left to right: Jaime Baptista (Portuguese Water Partnership), Vanssa Fernanda Schmit (IWA YWP, ADASA), Carolina Latorre (IWA), Samuel Barbi Costa (ARSAE), Sergio Ayrimoraes (ANA)

Notes to the editors

About the International Water Association

The International Water Association (IWA) is a network and an international global knowledge hub open to all water professionals and anyone committed to the future of water. With its legacy of over seventy years, it connects water professionals around the world to find solutions to global water challenges as part of a broader sustainability agenda. As a non-profit organization and with a membership in more than 130 countries, the IWA connects scientists with professionals and communities so that pioneering research offers sustainable solutions. In addition, the association promotes and supports technological innovation and best practices through international frameworks and standards. For more information, please visit www.iwa-network.org

About the Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities

The Action Agenda targets multiple stakeholders with different roles in taking action in improving their water sources and watersheds including water and wastewater utilities, city governments, industry, policy makers and regulators. These primary stakeholders work with basin organisations, water resources agencies, civil society and environmental groups to ensure equitable and effective water management. The secondary audience includes stakeholders that use water in basins which cities rely on for their water security such as agriculture, energy, natural resource extraction and other business interests. All parties need to actively work together to ensure water across sectors from catchment to consumer. More information visit: Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities