Through integrated water resources management, this Urban Water project, implemented by AECID and executed by Dinagua of the Uruguayan Ministry of Environment, aims to strengthen the resilience

of Montevideo and its metropolitan area to the effects of climate change.

1 October 2021, Montevideo, Uruguay. In an event that was broadcast in virtual format and which brought together national authorities and representatives from Spain and the European Union, the launch of the project “Adaptation in Action - Santa Lucía Basin. Integrated Management of water resources for the construction of a sustainable future” of the EUROCLIMA+ Urban Water sector.

The project is funded by the European Union, through the EUROCLIMA+ programme, for a non-reimbursable amount of € 1,499,150. Uruguay is contributing an amount of € 1,608,920, with the objective of strengthening the resilience of Montevideo and its metropolitan area, as well as that of the urban localities of the Santa Lucia River basin to the impacts of climate variability and change, focusing efforts on an integrated management of water resources to guarantee the quantity and quality of its source of drinking water.

The launch event was attended by the Minister of Environment, Adrián Peña; the Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation in Uruguay, Markus Handke; the Spanish Ambassador to Uruguay, José Javier Gómez Llera; and the Director of the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation - AUCI, Mariano Berro.

Joining forces to fight climate change

In addition to strengthening resilience, the project aims to adopt technology and modelling in the management of water resources in the Santa Lucia River basin, as well as to strengthen its governance, from a rights-based perspective, to support decision-making and the formulation of public policies from an integrated management perspective.

This was stated in a presentation by the Spanish ambassador, who emphasised that this project is in line with the policies promoted by the country and with the commitments undertaken. He also highlighted the leadership of Dinagua, the project's implementing agency, as a specialised technical institution. "I am convinced that the impacts of the project will have a favourable impact on the fight against climate change", he concluded.

For his part, the Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union in Uruguay pointed out that the European Union has a tradition of dialogue for exchanging best practices and to tackle these types of issues in a coordinated manner. In this regard, he affirmed that this project will provide a very relevant experience not only for the country, but also for other regions.

The executive director of AUCI emphasised the lines of cooperation with the European Union that "allow us to coincide on public policy issues and in an international inter-institutionality that is very valuable". Finally, he said: "We have the responsibility to implement the projects and to systematise the information so that it can be replicated".

The Minister of Environment thanked the support of EUROCLIMA+ through the implementing agencies of the Urban Water sector: the French Development Agency - AFD and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation - AECID. He also highlighted the importance of the project and reflected on how access to water conditions our development and how it affects different populations differently.

The above, taking into account the results expected during project implementation:

• Adoption of an operational early warning system on quantity and quality and water resources management to support decision making in the St. Lucia River Basin.
• Technical support for the definition of public policies in climate variability scenarios.
• Strengthening the governance of the Santa Lucia River Basin, with a basin commission where its stakeholders, women and men, exercise their participation rights and co-construct the Basin Plan and its implementation.
• Strengthening capacities for adaptation and resilience of the Santa Lucía river basin in the provision of ecosystem services for its inhabitants.
• South American cities learn about the project and nurturing water management and urban resilience for replication.

The event was closed by the national director of Water, Viviana Pesce, who highlighted the importance of integrated water resources management and the role of strategic partners. "For some time we have been exchanging with representatives of various institutions that are partners in the implementation of this project and we know of their commitment and their desire to contribute". She also referred to the Santa Lucía River Basin Commission as a key player, and mentioned that working groups will be created within the commission to make progress on specific issues.

For more information on the project, click here. https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-ambiente/comunicacion/noticias/se-lanzo-proyecto-adaptacion-accion-cuenca-santa-lucia

EUROCLIMA+ sector Water management with an urban resilience perspective

Through this sector of the EUROCLIMA+ programme implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the French Development Agency (AFD), a total of seven projects will be implemented. For more information on each project, please visit: https://www.euroclima.org/agua

About EUROCLIMA+

EUROCLIMA+ is a programme funded by the European Union to promote environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient development in 18 Latin American countries, particularly for the benefit of the most vulnerable populations. The Programme is implemented under the synergistic work of seven agencies: the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the French Development Agency (AFD), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Expertise France (EF), the International and Ibero-America Foundation for Administration and Public Policy (FIIAPP), the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and UN Environment.

Contacts

For more information about EUROCLIMA+, contact Alexandra Cortés: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For information about the Urban Water sector of EUROCLIMA+, write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.