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Ecuador, July 5, 2021 (������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��).�� From May 24th to July 2nd, approximately 70 professionals working in the areas of water management, including functionaries from the Ministries of Environment, Water Authorities and Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela participated in the first edition of the advanced course on Transboundary Water Governance in South America.

The Andean Center for International Studies of Simon Bolivar Andean University (UASB) and the Environmental Law Centre organized this program together with ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��´s Regional Office for South America, through ‘BRIDGE’ project. Its aim was to strengthen the technical capabilities of the participants in aspects related to good governance and effective management of transboundary water basins.

UICN

Curso Avanzado en Gobernanza de Aguas Transfronterizas en América del Sur

The six modules of the course encompassed the following topics:

• Water management and governance
• Equity and sustainability
• Water diplomacy
• International water law
• Community and collective water management
• Water security and nature-based solutions

The participants had an opportunity to discuss the importance of implementing good governance frameworks for transnational agreements, based on an active participation of stakeholders, the principles of International Water Law, enhanced capabilities for dialogue and negotiation aimed at solving potential conflicts around water use and management, in order to turn them into long-lasting enforceable agreements between riparian countries.

In this context, the on the "Brasilia Declaration of Judges on Justice in Water Matters", held on the 8th of July, in order to expand the dialogues and reflections around the efforts made by judges and other justice operators to guarantee the sustainability of water resources and the well-being of society.�� Experts from ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL), Stefano Burchi and Michael Hantke Domas, presented the context and relevance of the Declaration.

Through 10 principles, this document manifests the importance of giving access to drinking water and sanitation services; as well as outlining the paramount significance of water in ensuring the human rights to life, health and adequate living conditions.�� The Declaration reflects the commitment of the judicial power, meaning both judges and prosecutors in the exercise of their respective functions, to protect and administer justice in matters related to water resources, with a high degree of respect for the parameters recognized as “good practices” in governance and effective water management.

Capacity strengthening programs and the facilitation of multi-stakeholder dialogues are fundamental pillars in BRIDGE’s implementation methodology. This course will help actors to revitalize the discussion around effective water governance frameworks and the possibilities for the improvement both for riparian countries negotiation particular agreements and for the South American Region in general.

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UICN

Bridge

BRIDGE is a global initiative that promotes good governance in transboundary water basins in three regions of the planet: Latin America, Asia and Africa. ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��´s Global Water Program and the Environmental Law Centre (ELC), through the Regional Offices; thanks to the kind support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), implement it. In South America, the project carries out actions in the nine-transboundary basins between Ecuador and Peru; and in the Lake Titicaca basin, between Bolivia and Peru.

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More information:

[email protected]��– South Amercia Regional Office

[email protected]��– Environmental Law Centre

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